James E. Lawson

James E. Lawson of Kingsport went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 7, 2008, after a lengthy illness.

He was born in Kingsport where he spent his entire life, graduated from Sullivan High School in 1948, and retired from Tennessee Eastman Company as a Lab Technician in 1987 after 39 years of service. James loved going to church and attended Good Shepherd Baptist Church where he was faithful until his illness. He was a church Choir Director in Kingsport and Church Hill for over 40 years which was the joy of his life - singing and giving praise and glory to his Lord. He also sang with the Christian Way Quartet for many years.

James was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all who knew him.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Grant and Martha Lane Lawson; four sisters, Bonnie Donihe, Ona Hurd, Gertrude Jennings, Nina Belle Lawson; and two brothers, Howard Lawson and Hoyt Lawson.

Surviving are his loving wife of 59 years, Betty Hurd Lawson of the home; one daughter, Teresa Diane Osborne and husband Robert of Woodbridge, Virginia; two sons, Danny Lawson and wife Jan of Kingsport, Rick Lawson and wife Drusilla of Mt. Carmel; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and four sisters-in-law, Edith Lawson and Lillian Lawson of Kingsport, Gladys Hurd of Mt. Carmel, and Nancy Tate of Whitmire, South Carolina.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Lonnie "Buddy" Wooten Jr., Pastor Robert Fletcher, and Rev. Daris Horne officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Lawson, Robert Arnold, Kevin Baldwin, Chris Rhodes, Jerry Sherfey, and Buddy Begley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Baptist Church Building Fund, 459 Old Beason Well Road, Kingsport, TN 37660.