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Opal Lawson
Sep. 12, 1911 - Aug. 29, 2008

Opal Lawson, age 96, passed away Friday, August 29, 2008, in Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas while visiting her daughter, Patricia Bailey.

Visitation with the family will be held at North Orange Baptist Church, Friday, September, 5, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Lynn Ashcraft and Dr. Raymond Bailey.

Opal was born in Forest Hill, LA to Henry and Lavinia Dunn Butter on September 12, 1911. In keeping with her early family training, she was known as an outstanding seamstress and cook. Not only did Opal keep her family well fed and dressed, she also taught sewing classes at the local Singer store. At various times, she also worked in sales for Stanley Home Products, Sears, and Sherwin Williams.

Opal possessed a sharp sense of humor that was enjoyed by everyone who knew her. She was famous for her crisp sweet cucumber pickles, lovingly known as ``Grandma's Pickles''. She could never pass up buying cucumbers when in season.

A member of North Orange Baptist Church for 65 years, Opal loved the people and served in many ways, especially ``checking'' on their illnesses and preparing food for bereaving families. She found great joy that her family found their places of service in the life of the church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Robert T. Lawson; son, Joe Milam; sisters, Edith Price and Alma McRight; brothers, Howard, Dallas, and Leo Butter.

She is survived by sister, Doris Denmon of Forest, Louisiana; daughters, Dorothy Atkinson and husband Harold of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Edith Cox and husband, Walter of Orange, Texas, and Patricia Bailey and husband, Raymond of Waco, Texas; daughter in law Toshiko Milam of Fayetteville, North Carolina; grandson, Dr. David Cox of Orange; granddaughters, Brenda Cox Perkins of Kingwood, Texas, Sharon Cox Ackerman of Vidor, Texas, Hollie Bailey Spade of Frankfort, Kentucky, Sarah Bailey Paris of Versailles, Kentucky, Susan Milam Brashear of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Kathy Milam Gilio of Melbourne, Florida, Carolyn Atkinson Vest and Mary Atkinson Clinton of Carlsbad, New Mexico; fifteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to North Orange Baptist Church Sanctuary Fund, 4775 N. Hwy 87, Orange, Texas, 77632.