Lea Lawlis

Memorial services will be 7:00 P.M. Thursday, June 29 at the University Church of Christ in Canyon with David Lough, minister, and Olden Cook of Kerrville, officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 29 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at Brooks Chapel. Lea Ellen was born on March 3, 1943 in Vernon to Ulman P. Simpson and Willie Mae Murdock. She was a graduate of Vernon High School and attended Abilene Christian College. She was a licensed cosmetologist. She was also an award-winning journalist for the Sherman Democrat in the 1970's. Lea Ellen married Jerry Lawlis on July 25, 1959 in Wellington. She was a member of the University Church of Christ in Canyon. She was a popular speaker for women's church groups. She enjoyed cooking and sewing and was especially talented at smocking. She was the loving mother of two daughters; five grandsons; and one great grandson. She was preceded in death by her mother, Willie Mae "Billie" Coffee. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Jerry C. Lawlis; two daughters, Dr. Laurie Doyle and husband, David, of Lubbock, Leisha Norwood and husband, Tom, of Arlington; five grandsons, Benjamin Doyle, of Amarillo, Adam Doyle and wife, Jessica, of Lubbock, Andrew Norwood and wife, Bonnie, of Little Rock, Arkansas, Jacob Norwood, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Daniel Norwood, of Searcy, Arkansas; and one great grandson, Clark Norwood, of Little Rock, Arkansas. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Red River Family Encampment, PO Box 8997, Amarillo, TX 79114 or to Operation Ecuador c/o University Church of Christ, 3400 Conner Dr, Canyon, TX 79015.