Jimmy Neal Lawson

Jimmy Neal Lawson passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 16, 2017 at Forsyth United Methodist Church. Darris Baker and Ken Stephens will officiate, and Mr. Lawson’s nephews will serve as pallbearers. Graveside services will follow at the Sardis Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 1473 Wes Lawson Rd, Kite, GA, at 4:00 p.m.  The family will welcome friends to join them at their home, 62 Indian Springs Drive, Forsyth, GA, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the evening of Thursday, June 15, 2017 for a visitation.  Jimmy, or Papa-Jim to his close family, was born November 29, 1940 to Ida Pearl and Jesse Carl Lawson of Swainsboro, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his brother Jerry (Jay) Carlton Lawson and sister Nancy Janena Lawson. He will be missed by his loving wife Jo Ann Lawson; his three children, Jimmy (Neal) Lawson Jr. (Julie) of Bostwick, GA, Carter Albert Lawson of Abu Dhabi- UAE, and Merry Gaylyn Cole (Jim) of Forsyth, GA; and eight grandchildren, Madeleine, Charlotte, Sinclair, Jana, Margo, Carl, Caroline, and Lawson.  Friends remember Mr. Lawson as a man devoted to family, friends, and his community. After graduating from Swainsboro High School, he attended University of Georgia’s College of Pharmacy, graduating in 1964. In1968, he opened Lawson & Cromer Pharmacy in Forsyth, GA, where he served customers with loyalty and compassion until his retirement in 2012. He was active in the city of Forsyth from 1968 until his passing, serving on several boards and committees over the years. Above all, Mr. Lawson valued his family and his church.  His lifelong joy was fishing and the outdoors. His greatest pastime was sharing that joy with numerous fishing buddies. After retirement, he turned his energy to his family blueberry farm in Emanuel County. He started this farm from scratch with his brother Jay and was proud to hear that its first harvest was delivered to the Dole Fruit Packing House in Homerville, Georgia early last week.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Forsyth United Methodist Church, his beloved church home of almost fifty years, or Pine Pointe Hospice of Central Georgia, 6261 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210.    Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of arrangements.