Ora Elizabeth (Gauldin) Lawson

On November 27, 2020 Ora Elizabeth Gauldin Lawson passed away; devoted wife of the late Henry Christopher Lawson; beloved mother of Deborah Ora Lawson Scott and her husband James Russell; loving grandmother of Jessica James Scott and Justin Henry Scott; cherished great-grandmother of Maximus James Scott Persson and Isabella Ingrid Scott Persson; loving daughter of the late George Richard Gauldin and Martha Frances Eggleston Gauldin; dear sister of the late James Richard “Jimmy” Gauldin and his wife Evelyn, the late Mamie Gauldin Holland and her husband Harvey Wright “Pat”, the late John Harry Gauldin and his wife Leona, the late Nellie Lee Gauldin Turner and her husband Curtis, the late Pauline Gauldin(died in infancy), the late Paul Gauldin(died in infancy),the late Mary Etta Gauldin Pilson and her husband Julian, the late Doris Mason Gauldin Campbell and her husband John Taylor “Johnny”, and the late Stafford Columbus “Steve” Gauldin; dear sister-in-law of Juanita “Nita” Gauldin;

Dear 25-year companion of Ellis Christian, and his family – Michelle Christian-Ridge, Rob Ridge, Anna Barbe, Cynthia Rice, and Shareise Simpson;

Also survived by a tribe of nieces, nephews, their children, their children’s children, and their children’s children’s children.

Ora “Nanny” Lawson (1920 – 2020) was born and raised on a farm in rural Ridgeway, Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. She grew up in a large and loving family. As a young adult, she moved to Baltimore to work at Glenn L.Martin where aircraft were manufactured for the military during WWII. There she met and married Henry Lawson, a native of East Baltimore. They made a home in Essex, Maryland, where they raised their daughter Deborah. Ora lived in her beloved home for 63 years.

When Ora & Henry retired, they enjoyed spending time by the sea, especially at Cape May, NJ, and in Miami with Deborah, their son-in-law James, and their grandchildren Jessica & Justin. Ora’s grandchildren and great grandchildren, Maximus and Isabella (son and daughter of Jessica), brought her great joy.

After Henry’s passing in 1991, Ora did some exciting traveling to Alaska, Australia, and New Zealand. She also made new friends. In the 90s, Ora met Ellis Christian, and they enjoyed many years of companionship. She became an integral member of the kind and loving Christian family.

 Ora loved God, her family, friends, and neighbors. She was kind, generous, and fiercely proud of her Southern heritage. She enjoyed baking and for many, many years made each family member their favorite Christmas cookie. Her wafer-thin sugar cookies were renowned.

For the past two+ years (from the age of 97), Ora lived at the Lighthouse, an assisted living facility very near her beloved home. On November 7, 2020, she celebrated her 100th birthday—a milestone she sought to achieve and one that inspires her entire family. We thank the Lighthouse staff and Seasons Hospice staff for their good and kind care of Ora in her final years.

She was loved by many and will be deeply missed. The role has been called up Yonder for the Gauldin siblings. She is there now, the last of her birth family to cross over. Ora was a woman of strong faith, and her family is comforted by her beliefs and in knowing that her spirit has passed to be reunited with loved ones who have gone before her. She will be buried near her parents, brothers & sisters, and beside Henry, her beloved husband of 45 years, in Roselawn Burial Park, Martinsville, VA.

For now, we celebrate her life in our hearts. We will plan a post-Covid gathering (hopefully in Summer 2021).

If the spirit moves you and in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a

contribution in Ora’s memory to your favorite charity or her favorite charity, St Jude

Children’s Research Hospital. Thoughts and prayers are welcomed and greatly

appreciated.

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