Mr. Rolland Cornelius Lawson, Sr. was born on Saturday, July 2, 1938, in Centralia, Illinois to John Willie Dee and Frances (Inghram) Lawson. He slept in heavenly peace on Monday, February 28, 2022, at the age of 83 years in the home of his son Calvin. Rolland was a graduate of Centralia High School. He attended Kaskaskia Community College and graduated Summa Cum Laude then later attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He was a proud Army Vet serving from August 1958 to August 1961. He worked at Pontiac and Vandalia Correctional Centers early in life. He was most proud of the job he last worked at the City of Centralia as an Electrician. He retired from the city on June 19, 2001, after 33 years of service. He also took great pride in the days he coached Little League Baseball. He was a member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where he proudly served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Senior Usher Board, Mission Treasurer, and Trustee. He loved the Lord and didn’t mind sharing the goodness of God with anyone. He loved New Bethel Church and attended every Sunday until his health failed. He was a carpenter, plumber, and fixer-upper and would work and help anyone that needed his assistance to fix or repair any project. Rolland would do jobs at the church and any of his friend’s homes. He took pride in being able to help someone. He will be long remembered for his love of Jazz music. Rolland loved family and often reminisced about when they all lived and were raised by his grandmother Virgie Gill and how he, his brothers, and his 2 cousins were all there together.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Val J. Powe and Rev. Ronald Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia where military rites will be accorded by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and Centralia VFW Post 2055. Visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Memorials may be made in Rolland’s honor to Centralia Community Youth Center. Online condolences and memories of Rolland may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is privileged to be assisting the family of Rolland Lawson Sr. with arrangements.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his 4 sons, Rolland (Agnes) Lawson Jr. of Las Vegas, Darwin Lawson of Arizona, Michael Lawson and Calvin (Dana) Lawson of Centralia; and 1 daughter Algerine “Cookie” Norris of Springfield, IL; grandchildren: Bianka, Sisi, Jasmine, Rickey, Edward, Arlene, Princess, Constance, Michael Jr., Calvin Jr., Whitney, JoVaughna, Precious, Andrew, Edward, Jaylan, Jakeylen, Darwin, Brandon, Jereral, Courtni, Kevin, Theresa, Terance, and Purnell; He had several great-grandchildren; His cousins Marilyn Willams and Cathy O’Neal-Windom; his best friend Rev. Val J. Powe; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
On December 2, 1962, he married the love of his life, Veola (Willis) Lawson, that union was strong and lasted until she passed on April 23, 2002. He was always talking about the love he had for Veola and how he missed her so much. He was preceded in death by: his beloved wife, Veola, parents, J.D. and Frances Lawson; grandparents, Leon Inghram and Virgie Gill; grandfather, Clarence Hadley; brothers: Willie D. Lawson, Virgil LaVance Lawson, Herman Lawson, Robyn Lawson; Sisters: Margaret Brown, Brenda Burris, Florece Haley and Patricia Woodward; a cousin, Manuel Jack O’Neal, sisters-in-law Brenda and Virginia, his aunt and uncle, Manuel and Catherine O’Neal, and nephew, Jessie O’Neal.
