Suffolk - Mrs. Annie Lee Hunter Lawton peacefully departed this life on Friday, January 11, 2008. During a lengthy illness, Mrs. Lawton was lovingly cared for in her home and in the home of her son Benford Hunter, Jr. and his wife Paquita Lawrence Hunter along with the Lawrence extended family.
She was born April 10, 1922 in Wake County, NC. She was preceded in death by husbands Benford Hunter, Sr. and Luther Henry Lawton. Mrs. Lawton was the daughter of the late Cephus and Lillie Montague and affectionately known as "Snooks" by her friends and relatives in North Carolina.
Mrs. Lawton valued her family and family life as her greatest earthly treasures. Because of this, she and her brother John Cephus Montague organized the first Rufus Montague Family Reunion which occurred in July 1958. The family has gathered for forty-nine years to celebrate this annual event. Mrs. Lawton was a great motivator and faithful supporter of her children's efforts to reach educational, vocational and entrepreneurial goals. Her words for motivating action were, "I'll help you any way I can. You can do it." She was famous for her tight grip and saying to family, care givers, and friends, "I love you!"
Mrs. Lawton was saved at an early age and held membership at East End Baptist Church, Suffolk, VA for sixty-five years. She had a loving spirit and was willing to serve family, church and community. She served on the usherboard and was a member of Bible Class #2. She prepared meals for homebound persons, transported others to destinations to handle business matters and often read the Bible and documents to seniors whom she frequently visited. She instilled the spirit of service to one's fellow man into both her children and grandchildren through her words and deeds.
Survivors include daughters Lydia E. Hunter, Theolia Johnella Hunter Brogden (Steve), Wyvonnie Hunter Harsley, Cinthea Lawton Jubray (Booker), Clara Lawton, and Lois Hamlin; sons Benford Hunter, Jr. (Paquita) and Jerry Wesley Lawton (Tara); granddaughters Janice Parker, Wanda Hamlin, Tiffany L. Lewis, Toni Hamlin, Gwenita Lawton, Veronica Harsley Dean, Melony Lewis, Lydia Harsley, and Lois Nicole Lawton; grandsons Steven A. Lewis, Jr. , Raleigh G, Harsley III, Derek Jubray, Jerry (Jay) Lawton and Benford Jovan Hunter; Uncle (Buddy) Lee Anders Montague age 97; brother Jesse Ferrell; sister Gera Mae McCants; sisters-in-law Luetta Montague and Marjorie Montague. Mrs. Lawton also leaves to cherish her memory Godsons William Ruffin, Jr. and Julius Earl Ruffin, 7 great granddaughters, 5 great grandsons, one great-great grandson, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 17, at East End Baptist Church, 523 East Washington Street, Suffolk, VA. Friends may pay their respects during a viewing at the church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery on East Washington Street. A reception will follow at East End Baptist Church. Mrs. Lawton loved her family and she will be missed by the family and all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to the family: C/O Lydia E. Hunter, 9101 Stone Garden Dr., Lorton, VA 22079. Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
