Rev. Lawson was born in Chester, SC, on January 28, 1941, to the late Rev. Guy Humphries Lawson, Sr. and the late Lillian Merritt Donnan Lawson. He is survived by his wife, Ella Lawson. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene Sightler Lawson. Rev. Lawson proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, retiring after 21 years of service. He served as a hospital corpsman and achieved the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Rev. Lawson earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Education from Furman University. Rev. Lawson taught science at Tanglewood Middle School; served as pastor of Wake Union Baptist Church and Glenwood Baptist Church; and was a missionary pastor of Rome Baptist Church in Rome, Italy. He loved and enjoyed visiting friends and family; he also enjoyed gardening, collecting, and reading. Rev. Lawson was an active member of Glenwood Baptist Church.
In addition to his loving wife, Rev. Lawson is survived by his two sons: Marion Lawson (Tracy) of Liberty and Michael Lawson (Alison) of Youngsville, NC; a sister: Glenda Cannon of Lyman; a brother-in-law: Gilbert Rivers of Powdersville; six grandchildren: James Lawson (Tara), Emily Moats (Chandler), Samuel Lawson, Brandon Lawson, Nicholas Lawson, and Zachary Lawson; and three great-grandchildren: Noah Lawson, Judah Lawson, and Lawson Moats.
In addition to his first wife and his parents, Rev. Lawson was preceded in death by a brother: Guy H. Lawson, Jr.; a sister: Mary Lillian Rivers; and a brother-in-law: Charles Cannon.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Rock Springs Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:45 PM on Thursday, prior to the service, at the Church.
The family is at their respective homes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Irene Sightler Fund, IMB: PO Box 6767, Richmond, Virginia 23230.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
