Nellie Lawson

Lawson, Ruth Madaris, age 84, of Mt. Olive, Al., died August 9, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Joseph Leldon Lawson; her son, Joseph Leldon Lawson, Jr. (Joe Lel); her granddaughter, Shannon Dayle Graham; her sister, Evelyn Gates, and brothers, Charles Madaris, Jr., and James Madaris. She is survived by a daughter Melanie (Marshall) Graham; four grandchildren, Michele (Chris) Booker, Brett (Joanna) Graham, Michael Lawson and Jochen Lawson; six great grandchildren, Cory and Brianna Lawson; Chloe and Joseph Graham; Caleb and Shannon Booker; sisters, Daisy Styles, Margaret Luckie, Frances Stanford; and brother, Don (Kay) Madaris; sisters-in-law, Nell Madaris and Sarah Howard; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. Mrs. Lawson graduated from Brookwood High School (Tuscaloosa County) as Valedictorian of her class in 1940. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1943 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. She taught Physical Education at Sylacauga City School, Gardendale Junior High School and Gardendale High School. Even when she was no longer teaching physical education, she continued her own physical education program of daily exercise, bicycle riding, walking, and attending step aerobic classes regularly for her entire life. She loved to travel, and enjoyed the trip as much as the destination. She traveled extensively with her family and camped throughout the United States and Canada, with one very special road trip to Alaska. By cruise ship and air, she traveled the world, including Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, the Holy Land, and destinations throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and four passages through the Panama Canal. One of the high points of her travels was visiting the Rock of Gibraltar, which fulfilled a life long desire. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband to his WWII squadron reunions all around the U.S. from 1976 to 2003. She was a longtime member and children’s Sunday School teacher at Gardendale First Baptist Church, and a Mt. Olive resident for 56 years. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 13, 2007, at the Chapel at Morgan’s @ Gardendale Funeral Home with burial to follow at Moncrief Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12-2pm Monday prior to the service. Rev. Leon Zalenski, Rev. Mark Harrison, Rev. Sam McKay and Rev. John Curtin will be officiating. Pallbearers will include family members; Melanie Graham, Marshall Graham, Michele Booker, Chris Booker and Brett Graham, and representing her friends will be; Rick Wright, Rick Pennington, Shelly Hudson and Elmo Belcher. Messages of Comfort and condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.morgansatgardendale.com . Morgan's @ Gardendale Funeral Home directing (631-8810).

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Nellie Lawson

October 31, 1922 - August 9, 2007