Reba M Lawson

Reba M. Lawson, 89, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Monday, August 06, 2012 after a lengthy illness followed by a brief stay at Life Care. A devoted Christian mother who raised two daughters on her own and did it with grace and dignity, she was loved by all whose path she crossed. A faithful member of Big Spring Baptist Church all her life, she touched many by working with the GA?s and teaching Sunday school for many years. She loved sports of all kinds especially the Braves and Tennessee and was inducted into the Old Timers Basketball Hall of Fame. She owned and operated The Casual Shop in Cleveland for 17 years and had hundreds of clients who still consider her a good friend. The joy of her life was her grandchildren and more recently, her two great grandchildren, Skyler and Maddie who made her face light up every time they were around her. Mrs. Lawson was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years John F. Lawson, parents, Margie Bacon Howell and Fred M. Howell, sisters Minnie R. Howell, Nellie Howell Belcher, brothers, Robert Howell and Randall Howell as well as her first great granddaughter, Samantha Michelle Auberry. She is survived by her daughters Diana Phillips Auberry and husband Kenneth, Sr., Sandra Phillips Whaley and husband Frank; siblings, Katherine Ensley, Dorothy Gates, Helen Campbell and brother Ira Howell; grandchildren, Erik Whaley, Nicholas Whaley and wife, Nicole, Dr. Kenneth Auberry, II and wife, Deanna, Kelli Auberry Bilyeu and husband David; great-grandchildren, Skyler Addison Bilyeu and Madalynne Jane Auberry. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 8, 2012 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Reverend George Bulson officiating. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Erik Whaley, Ken Auberry, II, David Bilyeu, Steve Campbell, Todd Finnell and Kevin Rogers serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. Her family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Lawson Family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.