Rosie Mae Lawson

Rosie Mae Lawson, matriarch of the Lawson family, died peacefully at her residence in Bucyrus Friday, January 22, 2016.



She was born September 30, 1924 on a little farm in Franklin, Kentucky where she was raised by her parents, Jessie and Mattie (Cherry) Stringer.



Rosie attended Simpson County Schools and helped on the family farm. Earl Ford Lawson arrived at the family home to date her sister Francis but since she wasn’t interested, Rosie went on the date and on November 22, 1941 they married and shortly thereafter moved to Bucyrus. Earl preceded her in death in 1990. Rosie cared for and raised a large family as a homemaker and also worked at Ekleberry Poultry for many years until her retirement in 1989.



Rosie wore many hats through her life. In addition to being the family matriarch, she was a lover of quilting and was considered the, “head babysitter” and the “cooking grandmother”, and she loved every minute of it. Every family member owned at least one special quilt and Rosie will be remembered for her excellent cooking and baking, with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn being a family favorite. Rosie loved when people came to visit and her greatest joy was any holiday as every family member squeezed into her home for a loud yet enjoyable get together.



In addition to quilting, Rosie found peace in reading her Bible; she liked working with her roses and did a lot of gardening which helped create many of her wonderful meals. Rosie walked on a coastal beach for the first time in her life at the age of 80 where she also parasailed and jet skied. She was not restricted by her age as well into her 80’s she was still safely driving and she and her sister even did some roofing shingle repair work.



She is survived by eight children, Barb (Denis) Brogan of Bucyrus, Edward (Chris) Lawson of Galion, Kenneth (Brenda) Lawson of Bucyrus, Delbert (Kathy) Lawson of Rochester, Minn., Bruce (Judy) Lawson of Dublin, Vickie (Jim) Deaver of Bucyrus, Sherri (Pete) Beale of Dublin and Michelle (Marc) Schell of Bucyrus. Rosie loved all of her 34 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and was proud to have been able to hold and spend time with her only great-great grandchild. She is also survived by one sister Francis Britt of Bucyrus as well as many nieces and nephews.



Along with her parents and husband, Rosie is preceded in death by two sisters, Martha Bell Richards and Mittie Aline Sloan; one daughter, Elizabeth Jane Lawson; four grandchildren, Darin Todd Brogan, Holly LeeAnn Brogan, Gretchen Leigh Lawson and Shawn Ingles and one great granddaughter, Hana Elizabeth Detterman.



Her family will receive friends from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, January 31 at Wise Funeral Service, where her funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 1 with Pastor Becky Smithey officiating. She will be buried next to her husband, Earl Lawson in Oakwood Cemetery.



Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association through the funeral home.