Ching Yau Lawrence Cheng

Ching Yau “Lawrence” Cheng, 76, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at home after an illness.

Mr. Cheng was born in Hong Kong, son of the late Hong Cheng and Sin-Kew Lau. Lawrence attended SAIT, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 1969 to 1972, where he graduated with a Diploma of Technology in Electrical Engineering Technology.

He retired in 2012 after 38 years in the restaurant business. Lawrence and his brother, Kenny, started their first restaurant in Florence, SC, formerly known as the Mandarin Restaurant on South Irby Street. From 1981 to 2004, he acquired and operated the Mandarin in Columbia, SC and Lake City, SC. He later operated a Little Caesars franchise in Sumter, SC.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Ching Cheung Cheng, Ching Kee “Kenny” Cheng and Ching Lau Cheng; and sister, Lai Yung Cheng.

Surviving are his wife, of 46 years, Mei Wa “Dora” Cheng; god-daughter, Ying Zhang (Sean Chan); special daughter, Monica (John) Wilson; god and special grandchildren, Grayson Chan, Ember Chan, Christian Wilson and Michael Wilson; nieces and nephews, Felita (Edward) Clark, Gordon (Georgeanne) Cheng, Vicki Cheng (Bryan Rhodes), Nancy (Dexter) Floyd, Jonathan Lau, Tammy Lau and Allison Tam; great-nieces and nephews, Evan Clark, Cameron Clark, Taylor Cheng, Yee Yan Cheng, Adalyn Rhodes, Alex Rhodes; sisters-in-law, Wendy Cheng and Doris Tam (Patrick Lau); brother-in-law, Derry (Carol) Tam.

Memorials may be made to the McLeod Health Foundation, P.O. Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502-0551, www.mcleodfoundation.org or to the House of Hope of the Pee Dee, P.O. Box 7129, Florence, SC 29502-7129, HOFH.org.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.