Lawson, Maggie

Maggie Lou Lawson, 95, of Portales, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.

She was born on June 23, 1908, in Thurber, Texas, to Annie Jane and Joseph A. Booth.

She attended school in Minco, Texas. She married Gayle U. Lawson on Aug. 2, 1928, in Thurber, Texas. They lived in Idalou, Pep and Levelland, Texas before moving to the Highway/Lingo area in 1942. In 1952, they moved near Milnesand, where they ran the school bus routes for Dora Schools. In 1979, they moved to Dora. She moved to Portales in 1999.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Will, Ed, and Sam Booth; five sisters, Ida Coleman, Ollie Hilburn, Lilly Hilburn, Rosa Watkins, and Minnie Lee Booth, who died as a child; a son, Danny Ray Lawson, who died in 1978; and her husband, Gayle U. Lawson, who died in 1982.

Survivors include a son, Darwin Lawson (and wife, Ruth) of Hope; a daughter, Anna Beth Richards (Jimmie) of Portales; four grandchildren, Karen Downing (Rich) of Eunice, J. Mark Richards (Rosalie) of Portales, Lisa Sue Richards of Portales and Jo Malyn Richards of Las Cruces; six great-grandchildren, Melissa and Richard Downing of Eunice, Ashley, Justin and Chance Sherburne of Portales, and Michele Robertson (Staff Sgt. Jeffery) of Minot, N.D.; a sister, Clara Jane Hopper of Mineral Wells, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Brad Morgan will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Melissa and Richard Downing, Ashley, Justin and Chance Sherburne and John Albrecht.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.