Lillie Mae Lawson
March 3, 1935 - March 25, 2021

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions

Lillie Mae Middlebrooks Lawson passed from this life at 8:30 p.m. on the 25th of March 2021, in her home. Lillie was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on the 3rd of March 1935, to the late James Bryant Middlebrooks and Callie Lucretia Chunnigham Middlebrooks. She was their seventh born child of seven children. She was called Lil, Lillie, and Lillie Mae by her family and friends. Grands and great grands called her Meme, Memaw, Mammaw, and grandma. Lillie worked at many types of jobs over her life. She enjoyed working at all the various jobs she held such as Burlington Rug Mill, Burlington Carpet Mill, Ward Brothers Boat Company, The Shirt Factory at Star City, Billy Moore's Grocery Store, Belden Automotive Wire and Cable Company, and many other places. Even though she worked these many places as a dedicated employee, her family came first and she took extremely good care of her children and husband even after long work hours days, or nights. Throughout all these years of work, Lillie met many, many people that she called friend and brother or sister in Christ, and had very close relationships with many of those individuals.

Lillie was of the Baptist faith, being baptized and becoming a member of the Second Baptist Church in the 1950s. She also taught Sunday School classes and helped with other church activities. She believed in her LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who she loved, worshiped, and put her faith and trust in constantly. Lillie Shared her experiences with many others, at home, work, play, and just about anywhere she went. Lillie showed many people love, care, concern, and always trying to help others in any way she could. She had a heart full of love for everyone, being concerned about all others and never complaining about her own problems, hurts, aches and pains. She was a very strong woman bearing up and continuing on throughout many years of bad physical conditions where she hurt so severely that she wept at times and never let anyone know what she was going through. She always had a very lovely smile on her face, trying to make life better for others.

Lillie Mae Middlebrooks met James Barrington Lawson, the love of her life, and they were married on October 5, 1964. They had many many events together, as a family and with relatives and friends. Their 50th Wedding Anniversary was one such event, planned and carried out by their children in 2014. Lillie was a family lady and truly loved and cared for her family, husband, children, siblings, in-laws, relatives, blood, and adopted. A lot of youngsters called her mom, meme, and mammaw even though not related by blood they were with feelings.

Lillie was preceded in death by her daughters, Pamela Ann Hale Arrington and Cheryl Dyan Hale Donica; her parents, James B. Middlebrooks and Callie Middlebrooks Briley; three sisters, Sybil Middlebrooks Holloway, Baby Girl Middlebrooks, and Margaret Craig Pace; five brothers, Alton L. Middlebrooks, Carlton R. Middlebrooks, James Bryant "J.B." Middlebrooks, Arthor B. Craig, and Robert L. Craig; and one grandson, Steven Daniels.

Lillie is survived by her loving husband, James B. "Jim" Lawson of Monticello; one son, James David Lawson (Candi) of Monticello, AR; three daughters, Candice Lajuan Lawson, Tracey Michell Lawson Bratton (Tommy) both of Monticello and Deborah Kay Hale Bentley of Checotah, OK; one sister, Mildred L. Middlebrooks Chastain of Monticello, AR; twelve grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Cremation was requested by the deceased. A private family memorial service will be held at a later time to be determined by the family. Some of the cremated remains will be buried in the family plot at Gaster Hill Cemetery, Monticello, Drew County, Arkansas, AKA "Lawson Cemetery". Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home in Monticello, Arkansas.