Obituary: Thelma Lawson

Thelma Helene Lawson, 83, of Stillwater, Okla., died Sept. 5, 2003, at Stillwater Medical Center. She was born April 13, 1920, in Kirksville, Mo., to Robert Payton and Mary Amelia Emmert Adams.

She married Fred Eugene Lawson on April 5, 1942, in LaBelle, Mo. He preceded her in death on June 24, 1993.

Mrs. Lawson worked for the child welfare department in Kirksville, Smith's Studio and the state welfare department in Stillwater and Henry Stitch Plumbing. She then began a career with the Soil Conservation Service and worked her way up to financial manager over 25 years. She then worked as a budget analyst for the Soil Conservation Service national headquarters in Washington, D.C., retiring in 1985 after 29 years with the service. She then moved to Carson City for 11 years.

She enjoyed international traveling and was an active bridge player at the senior center in Stillwater. She was a member of AARP, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Business Women's Association and Stillwater Women's Club.

In additon to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Vera Phelps; and brothers Emment and Wilbur Adams.

Among her survivors are her sons and daughters-in-law Kerry and Darlene of The Woodlands, Texas, and Neil and Joy of Cairo, Egypt; sister Cuma Prough of Greentop, Mo., five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Burial will be at the Genoa Cemetery in Genoa.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Oklahoma Chapter, 500 N. Broadway Ave., No. 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.