Clyde Lawson

CLYDE LAWSON, son of the late Joseph and Gadalia Lawson, was born on September 21, 1931. Clyde was the second oldest child of eight children. He was born and raised in Person County, North Carolina. He transitioned from life on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 after a lengthy illness. God blessed him to reach the age of 93. At the age of 89, he was led to Christ by his oldest daughter, Deaconess Rathena Gilliam (she preceded him in death in 2019). Clyde and his brothers were raised on the tobacco farm by their grandfather. He and his brothers had to work faithfully on the farm to help generate money for the family. Clyde and his brothers didn’t enjoy the hard labor of the farm, but they pushed forward. Life wasn’t easy during the Jim Crowe era. This life, as we know, during that time was an affront to our people. In 1946, the family moved to Baltimore. As a young man, he wanted a better life so he came to Baltimore and gained employment at Bethlehem Steel. He worked there until he was 55 and new management took over the company. Clyde wasn’t too happy about the new management and changes so he retired. But I must say he love working for the steel company. Life was so much better here in Baltimore for the brothers. They enjoyed the city life and what it had to offer. Later, Clyde met and married the love of his life, the late Beverly Taylor, and from this union came Rathena and Cheryl Lawson. After the separation of this union, Clyde had two daughters, Claudette and Daphne. After the passing of his father (who owned the Lawson’s Barber Shop on Eager and Gay St.), Clyde decided to go to barber school to obtain his barber license. Clyde was very proud of that accomplishment. Clyde enjoyed gathering with his siblings, dancing and listening to back in the day music. The siblings would often meet at Aunt Estelle’s house to party until they got loud and rowdy and she would have to put them out until next time! Clyde was preceded in death by sisters, Katie Wilson and Estelle; brothers, Clarence Lawson, Roy Lawson, James Lawson, and Eugene Lawson; and daughters, Athena Lawson-Gilliam and Claudette Lawson. He leaves to mourn: his last sister, Lucy Withers; two daughters, Cheryl Lawson and Daphne Perkins; grandchildren, Monique, Christian, Lewis, Raven, Shauntay Lawson, Aaron, Alicia, April, Richard, Niecy, Dontaye, Andre, and Aisha; and a host of great-grandchildren.

Tributes

Clyde Lawson

September 2, 1931 - November 29, 2023