Obituaries

Cleo Elizabeth Lawson

Photo of Cleo Elizabeth Lawson
Cleo Elizabeth Hays Lawson, age 90, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday morning, March 20, 2011 at the Arkansas Hospice at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hot Springs. "Mimi," as she was lovingly named by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born in Gravel Hill, White County, Ark. on Dec. 29, 1920. She was the third child of Edward and Flossie Hays. Cleo and her husband Vestil were married Sept. 17, 1938. Cleo and Vestil moved to Malvern in Dec., 1952, from Searcy, and shortly thereafter joined Second Baptist Church where both remained very active until their deaths. Cleo earned her GED and had long years of employment at the International Shoe Company, Malvern School District, and First Baptist Children's Center. She enjoyed her church, spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, walking, traveling, and cooking for her family, and loved going to yard sales. Cleo was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Vestil D. Lawson on Nov. 25, 1991. Siblings preceding her in death were her sisters, Lillian Moss, Geneva Jordan; brothers, Julian, Redus, Eugene and Dayton Hays. Cleo is survived by son Conrad D. Lawson of Houston, Texas, and daughter, Janice Lawson Keith (Bill) of Malvern; Seven grandchildren, Kirk Lawson of Park Forest, Ill., LeAnn Lawson Turner (Sam) of Fayetteville, Kellye Keith Albey (Mark) of Benton, Chris Lawson, of Fayetteville, Karen Keith Robinson (Mark) of Benton, Kent Keith (Angie) of Alexander, Eric Arnold of Houston, Texas; 11 great-grandchildren, Lauren, Lawson and Lane Ross Albey of Benton; Tarahn, Blaine and Slaide Turner of Fayetteville; Reid, Rhett and Rose Robinson of Benton and, Kate and Harper Keith of Alexander, Four sisters, Dorothy Nier (Coolidge), Lois Morris (Ed), Shirley King (Jimmy) and Reta Lewis (Jimmy) all of Searcy. Her memorial service will be held at Second Baptist Church 210 W.Mill on Wednesday, March 23, with a time of visitation at 1:15 prior to the funeral services at 2 p.m. with Brothers Don Price and Joey McDermott officiating. Burial will follow in Rockport Cemetery. Pallbearers are Charles Keeney, Jim Ross, Clarence Woosley, Jim Richardson, David Selph, Curtis Gober and Cecil Burns. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Sam Turner, Dr. Mark Albey, Kirk and Chris Lawson, Kent Keith, Lawson Albey, and Eric Arnold. Memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church. Arrangements by Regency Funeral Home. Sign the guestbook at www.regencyfuneralhome.com.

Published March 21, 2011

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