Lela e. McCready Lawson, 93, a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 24, 2005, at Ventura, Calif., after a long illness.
Her graveside service will be Thursday at Santa Maria, Calif.
Lela was born on Nov. 7, 1911, in Weskan, Kan. At the age of 18 months, she traveled by covered wagon with her mother, Edna, grandparents, Samuel and Mattie McCartney, and her Aunt Dorothy, age 6, from Weskan, Kan., to Baker City.
A year later, the family moved to Delta, Colo., where Lela received her schooling. She married her life’s companion, Carl Lawson, on Aug. 19, 1929, in Delta.
They had one daughter, Nadine, their pride and joy. Together they lived in California, Colorado, and Idaho, eventually returning to Baker City. Some years were spent in La Grande before a final move to Santa Maria, Calif.
Being the oldest of 11 children, Lela learned early to be a caregiver and mentor to her siblings as well as many others. She spent her life giving and serving.
She dedicated her life to the Lord when she was very young and served many years as a Sunday school teacher and worker. Her last five years were spent in foster care and nursing homes. She was much loved by her care providers for her sweet spirit.
Lela was preceded in death by her parents, Ross and Edna Alexander; her beloved husband, Carl; and her loving daughter, Nadine; four brothers, Ray, Wayne, Dale, and Glenn Alexander; and one sister, Donis Alexander.
Survivors include a granddaughter, Carla and her husband, John of Camarillo, Calif.; great-grandson, Chris Allen; great-granddaughter, Jennifer Rezaei; great-great-grandchildren, Miranda, Jacob and Dalton Allen; sisters, Helen Wilson of Vancouver, Wash.; Bernadine Nichols of Siletz, Fern Beck of Portland and Mildred Peterson and Lorraine Valentine of Baker City; sisters-in-law, Lois Guilliot of Kent, Wash., and Marjorie Alexander of Baker City; and many nieces and nephews who loved and treasured her.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, February, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
