Dr. Paul C. Lawson

Dr. Paul C. Lawson (Captain, CHC, USNR-Ret.), 87, US Navy chaplain 1967-1994, pastor at Spurgeon Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk 1971-2001 and spiritual ministry partner of his late wife Shirley Lawson since they met at Campbellsville Junior College (now University) passed into Eternal Glory on February 14th, 2024. Paul's higher education included an Associate's at Campbellsville Junior College, Kentucky, in 1955 followed by a B.A. in Sociology at Georgetown College (KY) in 1957, a Masters of Divinity from (the) Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (KY) in 1960, and a Doctorate of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary (CA) in 1980. His Doctorate was paid for by the Navy, and the title of his dissertation was "Pastoral Care for the Aging: An Inquiry with a Resource Guide." At the beginning of his freshman year at Campbellsville he met "the prettiest girl on campus" (how he was told to look for her) sophomore Shirley Strader and quickly became her prayer and singing partner, a relationship that would continue through many churches in Kentucky and Virginia. In gratitude, Dr. and Mrs. Lawson set up a Church Music Scholarship in Shirley's name at Campbellsville University more than 20 years ago. Rev. Lawson served at Mt. Roberts Baptist Church (KY) while he attended Seminary in Louisville, followed by First Baptist Church, Jamestown (KY) 1960-1962 and Stanford Baptist Church (KY) 1962-1967. Paul and Shirley moved to Tidewater in 1967 when Paul became a Navy chaplain, serving in active duty including on the USS VULCAN (AR 5) and with multiple battalions in the 3rd Marine Division in the former Republic of South Vietnam and Okinawa, Japan, until 1971 followed by active reserve duty until 1994, mostly with Naval Air Station Norfolk but also a memorable deployment to Norway as Command Chaplain for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 4th Marine Division, supporting Battle Griffin '91. After returning from Okinawa, Paul served as pastor at Spurgeon Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA 1971-2001, with Shirley as minister of music and choir director during that time, and Shirley and son Paul Stephen providing "feedback" on every sermon during the 15 minute car ride home. After 2001, Dr. Lawson served in interim pastorates at Parkview Baptist (Portsmouth, VA), Buckroe Baptist (Hampton, VA) and Calvary Baptist (Newport News, VA).
Paul was the younger child of Pauline (Jaggers) Lawson and Charles Lawson of Magnolia, Kentucky. He is survived by his sister Charline Akins of Elizabethtown, KY, and his son Paul Stephen (Kathy), and his three grandchildren Shaun (Esther), Chloe, and Devon.
The funeral service will be at 1pm this Friday, February 16, 2024 followed by visitation, both at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Rd, Chesapeake. You can pay your respects to Dr. Lawson starting at noon on Friday. The internment date is being requested at Arlington National Cemetery, where CAPT Lawson will be laid to rest with full honors in the same grave as his wife. The date is expected to be several months out. Please visit grahamfuneralhome.com to view the service if unable to attend or leave a condolence to the family.