Claude M. Lawson

Dateline-Clinton, SC
Claude M. Lawson, age 94, of 2352 Milton Rd., died Tuesday, November 7, 2006.
He was a son of Lonnie Thompson Lawson and Mary Sumner Lawson and virtually lived his entire life in the Hopewell Community of Laurens County.
He graduated from Presbyterian College in 1934 and thereafter, taught school for several years.
He served in the United States Army during World War II as a Captain for a period of five years.
During 1947, Mr. Lawson established Lawson Furniture Company, Joanna, South Carolina.
He became a member of the Board of Directors of the Southern Home Furnishing Association in 1970.
During 1974, he received the Furniture South Award for distinguished service to the furniture industry.
Mr. Lawson is also listed in Who’s Who in South Carolina.
He was a charter member of the Joanna Lions Club and served as its President for a number of terms and received numerous awards for his civic achievements.
He was a lifelong member of Bush River Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school and served on the Board of Deacons for countless years.
Mr. Lawson, after retiring from the furniture business, turned his efforts to his cattle farm, and during 1997, was named the South Carolina Cattleman of the Year.
Mr. Lawson was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ellen Workman Lawson, and is survived by a daughter, Ellen L. Thompson of Greenville, SC; a grandson, Jeffery M. Thompson, and his wife, Ruth, of Laurens, SC; a great-grandson, Davis J. Thompson and a sister, Mary Lawson of Laurens.
Visitation will be held at the Lawson home, Thursday, November 9, 2006.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. at Bush River Baptist Church on Friday, November 10, 2006. Burial will follow in Rosemont Cemetery in Clinton, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bush River Baptist Church, 8936 Bush River Road, Newberry, SC 29108.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is serving the family.