Photo courtesy of Adams Funeral Chapel - Charleston
Aug 8, 1930 - Jun 18, 2019
Sad to just hear the loss of your Mother, my mother Wilma Anderson-Oelwein, Ia. They were childhood friends and stayed in contact thru the exchange of Christmas cards. We loss our Mom this past Monday and wanted to call Joanne.... My Mom enjoyed making cards and sending them to your Mom. Take care deepest sympathy to your Family....Love her daughter, Rosetta
Rosetta Anderson
August 26, 2019 | Friend
Cyndy and I have so many wonderful memories with the Lawyers. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Allyn Montgomery
June 26, 2019 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | Friend
To a woman who I called mom for a part of my life. Spent many Sundays and birthdays at the farm and will cherish the memories of our talks as we washed dishes together! Loved this woman and Im glad I had the opportunity to visit now and then when I made a visit to Charleston. As her health slipped away, one thing that never left was her love for her family. On our last visit she was confused but lit up when I told her who I was and we talked about the farm and her family... we shared...
Shelby DeCapite
June 26, 2019 | Punta Gorda, FL
Hugs and prayers to all of the family. My mom and aunt (Merna Porter and Verna Carter) were life long friends of Joanne.
Diane ingle
June 21, 2019 | Charleston, IL
Greg and Steve prayers going out for your family.
GEORGE WATSON
June 20, 2019 | TOLEDO, IL | Friend
Dear Jeff and Sandy and family we are so sorry for your loss. It is never easy to lose a parent no matter the age or state of health. Though we can't be with you for her service...we certainly will be with you in spirit and prayer. May your wonderful memories of your mom help you through the trying times. Love Renee and Bruno and family
Renee Giannini
June 20, 2019 | Barrington, IL | Family
I was Joannes hairdresser for several years she was one of my favorite clients.
We shared a love of gardening and farm life. I loved hearing of her children and grandchildren. I retired and Im sorry to say I didnt visit but one time after that.Recently she has been on my mind because I knew she liked strawberrys . I hope I can come to the visitation but if I dont get there know how much I thought of her.
Jeanette Nacke
June 20, 2019 | Charleston, IL | Friend
CHARLESTON, IL – Mary Joanne Lawyer, age 88 of Charleston, entered her Heavenly Home on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 while at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. The Funeral Service, honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Scott Sims officiating. Burial will follow in Mound Cemetery – Charleston. Donations in her honor may be made to a charity of the donor’s preference and gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
Joanne was born August 8, 1930 in Coles County, Illinois, the daughter of Floyd and Harriett (Shafer) Adair. She graduated from Charleston High School in 1948 with high honors and on Thanksgiving Day of that same year she married the love of her life. Joanne and Orville Lawyer were married November 25, 1948 at the Christian Church in Charleston in a simple ceremony with only family in attendance. It was a love and marriage that endured sixty-one years prior to Orville’s death on February 5, 2010. Joanne’s children are blessed with memories of a loving and devoted mother, Alan Lawyer and wife Kim of Effingham, Illinois, Jeffrey Lawyer and wife Sandra of Oro Valley, Arizona, Gregory Lawyer and wife Kathy of Mattoon, Steven Lawyer and wife Anne of Chatham, Illinois and Cathryn Gordon and husband Terry of Charleston. Also left to cherish their many loving memories are her six grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. The last of her siblings, Jack Adair of Charleston and Nancy Lawson of Menifee, California; sisters-in-law, Lelia Adair and Carol Adair, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families also survive. She was preceded in death by a son, Mark Lawyer; a daughter, Luanne Lawyer; her six half-sisters, Marian Piersma, Esther Watts, Virginia Scruggs, Barbara June Bell, Jean Carlyle and A. Lorraine Kass; one half-brother, Richard Adair; and two sets of twin brothers, Jerry and Gerry Adair and John and Joe Adair.
Joanne was a member of University Baptist Church in Charleston. She possessed strong family values and as a wife and mother her own family always remained her priority and was near and dear to her heart. She worked hard, helping Orville with the farm and taking care of the children. In 1997 Orville and Joanne began a new chapter in their lives as they moved to town leaving the farm and farmhouse they dearly loved, a place where they had invested so many years and so much of their lives. The move was bittersweet, and even though she missed the farmhouse, Joanne soon made their new house a home. Joanne was a woman of faith who was grateful for her many blessings in life and was proud of her children and their many accomplishments.
Funeral ServiceThe funeral service honoring and celebrating Joanne's life was held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel with Pastor Scott Sims officiating. Pianist, Ruth Ann Craig, accompanied Mrs. Kim Stewart who sang "Evening Prayer" and "It Is Well With My Soul". Additional favorite musical selections of Joanne's were played during the prelude and postlude including "I'll Fly Away". Burial followed in Mound Cemetery - Charleston. Serving as pallbearers were: John Higar, Alan Lawyer, Steve Lawyer, Greg Lawyer, Jeff Lawyer and David Lawson. Honorary pallbearer was Jack Adair.
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