Dortha M. Lawson

Dortha M. Lawson, 84, of Pine Bluff died Tuesday, September 30. Born February 27, 1930 in Birta, Arkansas, a daughter of the late J. D. and Clara Lee Tanner Via, she grew up in Birta and Noble Lake, Arkansas, graduating from Linwood (Arkansas) High School. She married Bobby J. Lawson on May 13, 1954 in Pine Bluff. For many years she was active as a homeroom mother and in all her children's activities. Later, she was the founder of Corn's A-Poppin in Pine Bluff. She was co-owner of Pine Bluff Foods with her husband. She was a member of First Baptist Church and the McClanahan Bible Study Class there, a fifty year member of The Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 40. A longtime Salvation Army volunteer, she also did Kutters for Pine Bluff School District Volunteers in Public Schools. Survivors include her husband, sons, Bobby J. Lawson, Jr. of Springfield, Missouri, Tom Lawson of Pine Bluff; daughters, Darla L. Taylor (Richard) of Pine Bluff, Deanna L. Gibbs (Mark) of Houston, Texas; brother, Lynn Via of Dardanelle, Arkansas; sisters, Alma Boyce (Billy) of Pine Bluff, Ann Harwood (Jim) of Dardanelle; sister-in-law, Margaret Via of Dardanelle; and grandchildren, Eric and Alexa Taylor, Jessica and William Lawson, Justin Munn, Jennifer McBroom, Emma and Megan Gibbs; and six great-grandchildren. Services are Saturday at 1: p.m. at First Baptist Church with Reverend Kenneth Thornton officiating. Interment follows in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son. Memorials are requested to the McClanahan Bible Study Class at First Baptist Church, 6501 South Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.