Phyllis M. Lawson

Lawson, Phyllis M., 88, passed away on October 18, 2008 in St. Petersburg, Florida after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born in Worcester, Massachusetts to John and Gina Morelli on February 17, 1920 and moved to St. Petersburg in 1967. She was a graduate of Worcester City School of Nursing. In 1943 she volunteered for service in the Army Nurse Corps and was assigned to a field hospital in England during World War II. Mrs. Lawson obtained the rank of First Lieutenant and was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. As the spouse of a military officer she lived in a variety of locations in the United States and also in Germany. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Raphael's Church. She enjoyed preparing large meals for her family and was an avid gardener. She is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Colonel George A. Lawson, Sr. USAF Ret. of St. Petersburg, 2 sons, George A Lawson, Jr. of Aiken and Dr. J. Mark Lawson of Chesapeake, VA, and 2 daughters, Ceci L. Shannon of Birmingham, AL and Lori L. Rutland of St. Petersburg, FL. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Assad of Metairie, LA, 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. A visitation will be held Wednesday, October 22, 2008 from 5:30- 7:00 p.m. at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home - N.E. St. Petersburg, 2201 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 10am at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd. N.E. Interment will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760. Visit the family's personalized online Guestbook @ www.AndersonMcQueen.com