Shirley Lawson

Once upon a time there was a wonderful and beautiful angel named Shirley. Known to many in the Kingdom as honey, mom, momma, maw, maudy, mamaw, and my friend.

On June 10th, 2017, when all was well in the Kingdom and her work on earth was through, the bell tower chimed and the beautiful angel received her wings. Her spirit flew high over the Kingdom spreading glitter on all those that she loved so dearly. The glitter, sparkly and shiny, remains as a reminder that she will always be with us.

Shirley was born to the late Alpha and Juda Stone on Thursday, July 2nd, 1942 on the family farm in Lewis County, Kentucky where she lived until she met and married her Prince Charming, Dennis, affectionately known as Pod, on New Year's Day in 1960.

Her spirit was greeted by a great cloud of witnesses who paved the way for her, including: her parents, sister Alva Gilliam, and dear sister-in-law Ester Fornier. Shirley leaves behind her beloved husband and very best friend of over 57 years, Dennis Lawson, her "favorite daughter" Pam Miller and husband Dan, and her "number one" daughter Denise Bowers and fiancé Jess Smith all of Dayton; three grandchildren, Stacy Luchin and husband John of Columbus, OH, Cory D.D. Miller of Beavercreek, OH Kara Bowers of Dayton and many other extended family members and close friends.

Shirley was very fortunate and felt privileged to have many dear friends: her special friends, Judy Howard, Carol and Henry Noe, Dave and Mary Stevens, Connie Daily, and lifelong friend Donetta Beiland.

The many passions in her fairy tale life included loving and caring for her family and down home cooking - which, ironically, resulted in her love for TOPS! She took great pride in being a neighborhood watch coordinator in Kettering, she loved Bingo, vacationing in Florida, being a good neighbor and friend to many, she loved vegetable and flower gardening, and doting on her grandchildren. Later in life she enjoyed going to Belterra, her iPad, Facebook friends, Farmville, watching her beautiful orchids bloom, laughing and corndogs!

If you asked how she was doing she may have replied, "Finer than frog's hair split three ways" and you would often hear her telling Kara, "I love you better than a cat loves cream." The things we admired most were her strength and perseverance, her positive attitude, candor, and her "laughing at life" style of humor. She never gave up and she darn sure wasn't going to let us give up! She set goals and worked hard to achieve them. According to her all things are possible and everything will work out.

She made friends easily and left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was very proud to be a 14 year breast cancer survivor. Shirley was diagnosed with end stage Liver Cirrhosis in April of 2016 - let us clarify - "Non Alcohol Related Liver Cirrhosis!" She would quickly and emphatically say she DID NOT want anyone to think that she was ever a drinker!

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to her care over the past year. Special thanks to Dr. Larry Lawhorn and Kelsey, Dr. Steven Dellon and Jessica, Nurse Emily and Aide Savannah, and the entire Hospice Team.

We look forward to the day when she is part of the cloud of witnesses that greet us...and then it can be said...they lived happily in the ever after.

Visitation will be held on June 15th, 2017 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home 3380 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, OH www.newcomerdayton.com A Funeral Service to follow June 16th, 2017, at 10:30 am at the funeral home. Byron's Cemetery 3266 Trebein Rd., Fairborn, OH will be her final resting place.

"She who leaves a trail of glitter is never forgotten."