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John Thomas Lawton
1939 - 2020
John Thomas Lawton
1939 - 2020
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1939
DIED
2020
John Lawton Obituary
John Thomas Lawton 81 of Roanoke passed away Monday, December 7, 2020. He was born May 1, 1939 in Franklin County, VA to the late William and Vegie Lawton. He was preceded in death by his wife Edna Brothers, Henderson, Walter and James, Sisters, MaryAnn Lawton and twin sister Violet Payne. John was a hard worker. He worked for Woolworth for 29 years until they went out of business and then he worked for Goodwill Industries for 10 years before retiring. His favorable loved job was his garden for which he often shared his crops.
Survivors includes his only brother, Charlie Lawton of Roanoke, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, devoted family and friends. Special thank to Commonwealth Assistant Living Staff in Christiansburg, VA and Heartland Hospice Nurses.
A graveside service will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, December 12, 2020 in Williams Memorial Park. There will be public viewing on Friday, December 11, 2020 from 2PM-5PM at Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Arnita Branch
December 6, 2022
Hello Family, I thank Uncle John for teaching use how to support each other. He was always supportive of Aunt Edna as the Eaves Sisters took care of all of us. Thank you. Arnita Mitchell Branch and Family (neice)
Arnita Branch
December 12, 2020
Welcome home to heaven Uncle John. I thank God for lending you to us for such a short period of time. We will never forget all that you have taught us about about being family, gardening, cooking and being a dedicated worker even when we are considered the "Help". Thank you for teaching us how to dance like James Brown and how to listen to and enjoy good music. Thank you for being a good and faithful Uncle. We will miss you but never forget all that you dd for us. We are going to pass it on to future generations so they will know who you are. Thank you. Arnita Branch, Niece
Arnita Branch
December 12, 2020
To the family of John Thomas Lawton and my uncle, I want you to know that Uncle John has arrived at the final destination. He is home. The family reunion that happened in heaven when Uncle John arrived was one of the best ever. He was welcomed home by God, Aunt Edna, his parents, and of course Uncle Charles and Uncle Lewis. The three were back together again. When I think of the three brothers in laws (John, Charles and Lewis), I think of family. I want to thank Uncle John for always making us smile because he had such a wonderful smile. Thank you for all of the gardening tips that has helped us to be able to feed our families and how a bowl of cold slaw does not have to go to waste. Most important, thank you for showing us how to be "cool"- how to relax and listen to good music. You taught us how to dance like James Brown and how to have respect as Arethra Franklin sang. Thank you for supporting our family when our father died suddendly. Thank you for showing us to love and support our spouses even in challenging times. Thank you for showing us how to be dedicated workers even when we are considered the "Help". Thank you to Signora Heyliger / neice and Monroe Green / nephew for seeing to his needs during his ailing years. Thank you to the staff of the Department of Aging, Meals on Wheels and the staff at the medical care facilities who cared for him during the final days of his life. We will miss you but never forget all that you did for us. From the states of Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina and Alaska we say well done to a good and faithful Uncle who made family fun. Continue to be faithful and blessed. Arnita Branch, Niece.
Alveta Mitchell
December 11, 2020
A tribute for our Uncle John with loving and fond memories:
I am glad that GOD honored you with a long life because you were so sweet and loving to us. I remember when our family first meet you. It was a few days before you married our Aunt
Edna. Your nieces, Yvonne, Arnita, and I were only 8 and 9 years old. We said that you were a little short and slim but you had a nice smile and giggle. I remember at Aunt Sig´s house after the wedding, everyone congratulated you and you treated us with a gig dance. You danced so fast that we said that your legs moved as if they were made of rubber. HOW WE ALL LAUGHED! I remember the July 4th family reunions when we had picnics, and services at High Street Baptist Church.
We would always look for you, in your white gloves at the church door, to usher us to our pews. We remember the stories you told us about being a cook at Woolworth and working at Goodwill.
I remember how proud you and Aunt Edna were when you moved out of the rented house on Madison Avenue and moved into your very own house on Carroll Street. I remember how you enjoyed your man cave with your music playing. You were always so proud of your well manicured garden in the back yard. We remember how generous you were in giving us food from your garden to take home. When you knew we were coming, you would already have a garden box packed for us to carry home. In the last conversation we had, I thanked you for all of the joys you, Aunt Edna, Aunt Mancie, Uncle Lewis, cousin Monroe Greene, Aunt Sig, Uncle Charles and cousin little Jame had given to us over so many years. Rest in Peace Now, Uncle John, and tell all of the others that have gone before you, we sent our love with you to heaven.
Your loving nieces and nephews, Signora Heyliger (WV), Joseph Mitchell (NJ), James Mitchell (WV), Paul Mitchell (WV), Arnita Branch (OH), Naomi Mitchell (WV), Monroe Greene (VA), Yvonne Manns (NC), Merachel Manns (NC), MattiAnn Manns (PA), Atilice Manns (NC), Francis Manns, Jr. (NC), Stephanie Eaves (VA), Alveta Mitchell (AK)
and a hosts of great nieces and nephews
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james mitchell
December 11, 2020
I am so glad God gave me a uncle like you .I will miss you .RIP
Signora Heyliger
December 11, 2020
To the family of Uncle John. Many thanks for sharing your relative with us. We first fell in love with him when we were introduced to him by our Aunt Edna, his lovely wife for over four decades. We truly loved them both for they were always there to support our parents in helping to rear us. We will always have extremely wonderful memories of spending our summers in Radford and later in Roanoke with our aunts and our uncles. Uncle John was an amazing farmer, and he loved his music. Visiting Roanoke, VA will never bee the same, but the memories will always be sweet.
Serenity Funeral Home
December 11, 2020
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
audrey mason
December 10, 2020
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Lenore davis
December 10, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Pamela Griffin
December 10, 2020
My Deepest Sympathy to the family and friends..John was a very helpful person..May God comfort those hearts that are sadden from his passing..To be absent from the body, to be present with the Lord..
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126 Gilmer Avenue NW, Roanoke, VA 24016
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