Arra Lawson

Arra Lee Lightner Lawson, age 93, of Abbeville, Alabama; drive through viewing will be Thursday, August 19, 2021 4-6 PM at the funeral home; One hour prior to the service for visitation on Friday, August 20, 2021 11:00 AM at the Bethlehem Cemetery, 1299 County Road 25,  Abbeville, Alabama; under the direction of the caring staff of Scott’s Chapel Hill Mortuary “Because We Care”.

Arra Lee Lightner Lawson was born on July 1, 1928 to the late Allen Lightner, Sr. and Theresa Ramey Britt Lightner in Abbeville’s Screamer Community. She was the last surviving child.

After her early education at Free Gift Elementary School, Arra completed high school at Van Buren High School in Eufaula, Alabama. She furthered her education at Tuskegee ( Institute) University, earning bachelors and master’s degrees in Home Economics Education. She spent her entire career as a teacher for the Henry County School System. She taught at St. Paul Elementary School and Mount Zion Elementary School before joining the faculty of Newville Rosenwald High School as science teacher. Later, she taught home economics at Henry County Training School and Abbeville High School.

Arra was joined in holy matrimony to the late Wilson Robert Lawson. They were parents of a daughter, Althea Shannon Lawson Thomas. She was lifelong member of Free Gift AME Church in Abbeville. She was an usher, Sunday School teacher, trustee, steward, treasurer and secretary. She also served as President of the Dorothy Shaw Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) at her church and was active in WMS activities throughout the Southeast Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Indeed, the work of mission was one of her passions as was attending Area, Conference, and Ninth Episcopal District meetings and celebrations.

She departed this life on August 16, 2021, in Dothan, Alabama. 

She is survived by her daughter: Shannon (Reverend Eddie W.) Thomas; grandsons: Shadrin V. Thomas and Jasil Conrad (Keidi) Thomas; a great grandson: Kason C. Thomas; favorite cousins: Lance Grant and Willie Richardson, and other cousins, nieces, and nephews, especially Eunice Orr and Donald Peterman who provided assistance and care. Her memory will also be cherished by faithful and devoted friends and former students Dorothy Warmack and her family, Allie Reddick, Rosie Bell Russaw, Glory Holmes, Rosie Dozier, and Reverend Josephine Marlow.

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