1930
Dorothy
2016
Dorothy Deane Lawson
June 20, 1930 — July 30, 2016
Mrs. Lawson, as she was known to generations of William Monroe High School (WMHS) students, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday evening, July 30, 2016. She has now completed her mortal journey and goes to join her husband of 62 years, Thomas; her son, Darrel D. Lawson; her parents Asbury and Ida (Breeden) Deane; her in-laws, Sydney (Sink) and Meta (Roudabush) Lawson; dear Aunt Nora (Roudabush) Wampler; and yes, some of her former pupils.
Dorothy was born June 20, 1930, and raised in rural Greene County. She was the oldest of three children and later was oft-described by her children as a depression [era] child, as was her husband. Her response belittled the hardships of the era, and she could be heard to say that “it wasn’t so bad out in the country - you grew what you ate.” Never mind all the hard work that entailed; never mind all the hard work that all of her achievements entailed. Dorothy was a pig-tailed schoolgirl, then valedictorian of her WMHS Class (’47), then graduated Madison College (now JMU) with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education, married the love of her life, Thomas, and began her family and her long teaching career at WMHS from 1952-1988. And when her youngest child was of school age, she added a Master’s Degree in Education from Madison. Her children commented recently of Yearbook meetings or activities that occurred at the home as Mrs. Lawson was Sponsor of the WMHS Annual, The Trail, for many years. She was also a long-time member and pianist for Mt Vernon Methodist Church, made many trips and baseball games where she kept score and was the head cheerleader while her husband coached; and all the absolutely wonderful parenting received – story after story. She, and her husband, Thomas, took square dancing lessons and joined the Greene Cloverleafs in retirement, dancing with the group for years. They also farmed and took some much-needed vacations across this country.
Dorothy’s family is truly blessed and those left to cherish her memory are her brother and sister-in-law Harold and Lois Deane of Earlysville, and her sister Joan D. Watson of Ruckersville and their families; her children and spouses Kyle and Linda Lawson, Carolyn Lawson, and Lori Lawson Tawney, all of Stanardsville and Marilyn and Clifford Peacock of Churchland, VA. With the oldest grandchild’s arrival, Edward Lawson, Dorothy permanently became “Granny” and the persona she carried for the rest of her days. Edward and his wife Victoria reside in Ruckersville. Other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grand child followed: Sheila M. Peacock, Meghan (Eric) Davis, Sean M. Peacock, Brittany N. Tawney, Gennie (Chris) Morris, Blaine T. Tawney; Jessica, Jaimi and Makenzie Lawson, Charlee and Zane Davis, Lyndsey and Lily Tawney; and Shelby Lawson. Chase, the best little dog according to Granny, is also left to miss her.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 6, at 11 a.m. at Ryan Funeral Home in Quinque. There will not be a viewing; those wishing to visit with the family can one hour prior to services.
Interment will be private.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Greene County Rescue Squad, PO Box 302 Stanardsville, VA 22973 and/ or Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com
Ryan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy was born June 20, 1930, and raised in rural Greene County. She was the oldest of three children and later was oft-described by her children as a depression [era] child, as was her husband. Her response belittled the hardships of the era, and she could be heard to say that “it wasn’t so bad out in the country - you grew what you ate.” Never mind all the hard work that entailed; never mind all the hard work that all of her achievements entailed. Dorothy was a pig-tailed schoolgirl, then valedictorian of her WMHS Class (’47), then graduated Madison College (now JMU) with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education, married the love of her life, Thomas, and began her family and her long teaching career at WMHS from 1952-1988. And when her youngest child was of school age, she added a Master’s Degree in Education from Madison. Her children commented recently of Yearbook meetings or activities that occurred at the home as Mrs. Lawson was Sponsor of the WMHS Annual, The Trail, for many years. She was also a long-time member and pianist for Mt Vernon Methodist Church, made many trips and baseball games where she kept score and was the head cheerleader while her husband coached; and all the absolutely wonderful parenting received – story after story. She, and her husband, Thomas, took square dancing lessons and joined the Greene Cloverleafs in retirement, dancing with the group for years. They also farmed and took some much-needed vacations across this country.
Dorothy’s family is truly blessed and those left to cherish her memory are her brother and sister-in-law Harold and Lois Deane of Earlysville, and her sister Joan D. Watson of Ruckersville and their families; her children and spouses Kyle and Linda Lawson, Carolyn Lawson, and Lori Lawson Tawney, all of Stanardsville and Marilyn and Clifford Peacock of Churchland, VA. With the oldest grandchild’s arrival, Edward Lawson, Dorothy permanently became “Granny” and the persona she carried for the rest of her days. Edward and his wife Victoria reside in Ruckersville. Other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grand child followed: Sheila M. Peacock, Meghan (Eric) Davis, Sean M. Peacock, Brittany N. Tawney, Gennie (Chris) Morris, Blaine T. Tawney; Jessica, Jaimi and Makenzie Lawson, Charlee and Zane Davis, Lyndsey and Lily Tawney; and Shelby Lawson. Chase, the best little dog according to Granny, is also left to miss her.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 6, at 11 a.m. at Ryan Funeral Home in Quinque. There will not be a viewing; those wishing to visit with the family can one hour prior to services.
Interment will be private.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Greene County Rescue Squad, PO Box 302 Stanardsville, VA 22973 and/ or Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com
Ryan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy Deane Lawson, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors