Teresa Lawton

LAWTON, Teresa Had you met Teresa during any of the 64 years she lived, you probably would have not have been able to sense her dreams and drive to accomplish her dreams. But the dreams and drive were waiting to establish themselves. She was born in Elmira, New York to Arden Miles and Verda Lamphear Miles. The first daughter among two brothers named Rick Miles married to Doris and Anthony Miles married to Peggy. Within a few more years two more brothers (Timothy Miles married to Cindy and Brian Miles). Her sister, Michele Miles McCaslin married to David, was born into the family eight years after Teresa. Overall, life was challenging being the only girl in a house of boys, raised to be traditional farm boys. One of Teresa's first accomplish-ment was winning the roll of head majorette of her high school band. She was able to outperform the principal's daughter to get the job. Upon completing Addison High School in Addison, New York, she joined others in working the assembly line at the local factory. Determined to fulfill her life dream of becoming an Executive Secretary, she applied to the local college and was accepted. When she asked her father to complete financial aid papers he refused to share his personal finances. Instead he paid out of pocket and she worked. She applied eventually to numerous companies before finding a secretarial/office manager position. In this part of New York, a majority of the local kids worked at the factory, found local partners, married had several children. This was also not Teresa's goal. She met a Texan who lived near Dallas and agreed to marry him. To accomplish this, she drove her Karmann Ghia the 1300 miles from Woodhull, New York to Dallas, Texas alone. She considered this endeavor to be one of her most challenging tasks. But she did it. Only in Dallas for a year, however, she changed her mind about marring this person and broke her engagement. She met her current husband while attending religious classes at The Unity Church of Dallas. They were married August 3, 1980 at The Unity Church of Dallas. The marriage continued for 30 years plus until her death October 4, 2016. During those 30 years she earned a Bachelor's degree; and was employed 17 years as a Senior Benefit Representative at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. Teresa leaves behind a husband, Dr. Johnny Lawton, and a stepson Assistant Police Chief John Olin Lawton. There are also 4 grandchildren of John and Gigi Lawton. Her New York family consist of three brothers, a sister and approximately 14 nieces and nephews. Love you Teresa. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at Hughes Ed. C. Smith Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be at 2:15 PM, Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at DFW National Cemetery, Lane B.