The following obituary was published in the Eureka Times-Standard on February 22, 2014:
Lola Margaret Hull Lawson – Born March 30, 1924, in Garberville California, died February 13, 2014, of natural causes in Garden Grove, California, at 89 years of age. Lola was the fourth child and oldest daughter of William Shinn Hull and Lurena Margaret Medcalf. The Hull family resided in Garberville until 1932 when they moved to Hydesville to operate a dairy farm. After graduating from Fortuna High School in 1941, Lola attended the University of California, Berkeley where she received her bachelor’s degree. Lola and first husband, Virtrue Beech Williams moved to Rockford Illinois where their four children were born and raised. Upon returning to California in 1969, she obtained her teaching credential – teaching for a number of years in Huntington Beach. In 1976, Lola received her Master’s Degree in Home Economics from California State University, Long Beach. Lola was subsequently hired by the University of California, Cooperative Extension Program where she held the position of County Home Economist for both San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. It was at this time that Lola met and married her second husband, Winfred Mathis Lawson. Lola was known for her incredible energy, creativity and vision a natural leader and source of inspiration to those around her. Lola was an active member in her churches and various community and national organizations where she held a number of offices including California State Regent for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). While State Regent, Lola developed an ongoing college scholarship program for History Majors having successfully raised $20,000 in seed funds. Lola was predeceased by her first husband Virtrue Beech Williams, second husband Winfred Mathis Lawson, and her brothers Edward Hull, Joseph Hull, Albert Hull and Leroy Hull. She is survived by her sister Lois Hull Nitchman, daughters Patricia Reed, Margaret Cain and Kathleen Yelle, son Michael Williams, stepsons Curtis Lawson and Andrew Lawson and her nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family invites Lola’s friends to join them for an informal time of shared remembrance and light repast at the First Presbyterian Church of Eureka California on February 25, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lola will be interred in the Pioneer Cemetery in Hydesville California on February 26, 2014 with a graveside service for attending family. Lola’s memorial service will be on March 30, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at the Davis Community Church in Davis California with a reception to follow on the UC Davis campus. In-lieu-of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Lola’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project or the California State Society DAR American History/Political Science Scholarship Fund. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obituaries.
Funeral service at First Presbyterian Church of Eureka:
February 25, 2014 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Informal time of remembrance and light repast
First Presbyterian Church of Eureka
819 15th Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 443-4897
Memorial Service in Davis, California:
March 30, 2014, 1:00 p.m.
Davis Community Church
412 C St, Davis, CA 95616
530.753.2894
Reception following – location TBD (probably UC Davis campus Putah Creek Lodge)
For members and chapters wishing to contribute to the American History/Political Science Scholarship created by Lola Lawson as part of her State Regent’s Project, please to go the CSSDAR Members’ website, Forms and Publications, State Treasurer Forms, to find the necessary forms and information. Here is a brief description of the forms:
1. CSSDAR Member Donation form – This is for a member to make a direct donation to a fund listed on the form. The American History/Political Science Scholarship is listed.
2. CSSDAR General Remittance form – This is for a chapter to make a donation to the scholarship fund. The American History/Political Science Scholarship is listed.
3. Honorarium/Memorial Donation form – Complete and include this form when making a donation in memory of a person.
If you have questions about making a memorial donation to the scholarship fund, please contact State Treasurer Gayle Mooney, treasurer@californiadar.org.
Debbie Jamison
State Regent
regent@californiadar.org