Paula Jean (Laird) Lawson, age 87, Anderson, died on April 27, 2015 at her home after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
Paula was born April 24, 1928 in Milford, Illinois and attended public grade and high school there. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. She was awarded a Master of Arts degree in music from Ball State University. She taught vocal music in both elementary and secondary schools in Milford, Hoopeston and Mason City, Illinois and at Anderson High School and Central Junior High School. Paula also taught for a brief period at Anderson University.
She was a member of the Madison Park Church of God and, for many years prior, was active in leadership posts at North Anderson Church of God. She served there in the sanctuary choir and as church soloist. She was a member of the Church Council, and Board of Christian Education, taught Sunday school and held various other church offices. She led the children's choir for several years.
Across the years, she traveled with her husband to Church conventions and camp meetings within the United States and to a number of Mission Stations around the world. The travel included many local congregations of the Church of God in nearly every state.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. David L. Lawson, former Church of God World Service Executive Director and Associate Executive Secretary of the Leadership/Executive Council of the Church of God, two daughters, Dayla Jean (husband Dr. Paul) McDaniel of Indianapolis and Pamali Jill (Dr. Fred) Meadows of Westfield. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Caleb (wife, Amber) and Luke McDaniel and Chad (wife Mechelle) and Chelsea Meadows; two sisters, Maridean (husband Jim) Mullineaux of Lillian, Alabama and Martha Faye (husband Bob) Glade of Bourbonnais, Illinois; and brother-in-law, Dan (wife Norma) Lawson of Englewood, Tennessee and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Laird of Milford, Illinois.
Services will be conducted at 2:00pm Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service in Anderson. Participant leaders in the service will be members of the family with Dr. Paul McDaniel and Dr. Fred Meadows officiating. Burial will be in East Maplewood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service and graveside will follow at East Maplewood Cemetery.
Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service handled the arrangements.