Helen Delores Lawson, 87, of Bloomington passed peacefully on Saturday, March 25 2017 at Martin Health Center in Bloomington.

Delores was born September 9, 1929 in Dawson, Illinois, daughter of Edward Raymond Akers and Lydia Blanche Bumgarner. She grew up surrounded by a large family of aunts, uncles and cousins, a childhood she remembered with great joy. She met Robert Kent Lawson at a Wesley Foundation event while a student at Illinois State University and they married in Springfield,Ill on June 19, 1949. In the early years of their marriage they lived in LaRose, Toluca, Monmouth, then later moved to Beardstown where they resided until retirement. Delores was a stay at home mom until her three children entered school, then worked in various positions at WRMS radio. She retired from employment with the State of Illinois as a public aid caseworker. After retirement she and Bob spent two years as full time RVers, travelling the country before settling in McAllen Texas for nearly twenty years. She enjoyed camping, fishing, travelling, shopping and card games. She was especially skilled at cribbage, and led classes to teach many others the game. Delores loved to laugh and play and to socialize with friends, and could be counted on to speak her mind. She found peace in her Christian faith during her past several years of physical challenges.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 61 years, Robert. She is survived by her daughters Janice Kay (Charles) Rohn of Champaign and Cindy Leigh Lawson of Normal and her son Glenn Edward (Deborah) Lawson of Alliance, Nebraska. She is also survived by her grandchildren Vincent Michael (Leanne) Rohn, Jennifer Anne Rohn, and Jacob Harrison (Sarah) Fulk and five great grandchildren Benjamin, Megan, Kyleigh, Jay, and Francesca. She placed a high regard on a good work ethic and on education and was very proud of the accomplishments of all of her children and grandchildren, often quoting Abraham Lincoln “Whatever you are, be a good one”.

A service will be held at 9:30 AM on Friday March 31 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elmwood where she will be inurned with her husband Robert, a World War II Navy veteran. A memorial service for friends will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 1 PM at Westminster Village, in Bloomington.

Those wishing to, may honor her with a donation to the Lawson Family Legacy Scholarship, Illinois State University Foundations, Campus Box 3200 Illinois State University, Normal, Il 61790. This scholarship supports students preparing to teach persons with disabilities. This scholarship supports students preparing to teach persons with disabilities and was established in honor of Delores and Robert Lawson in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary.