Mary Louise Lawson, 73, of Smyrna, Delaware, formerly of Lexington, Oklahoma, and Waldorf, Maryland, passed peacefully at home on Friday, 17 March 2023.

She was born in Lexington, Oklahoma on May 31, 1949, to the late Thomas Shobert and Frances Stickney (Thomas died before Mary was born; Mary was raised by John Wesley Gallamore). Mary was the youngest of 13 children born into her family.

She graduated from Lexington High School, Oklahoma; City Colleges of Chicago, Europe with an Associate in Applied Science; the University of Maryland, University College with a Bachelor of Science; and completed multiple Military Training Courses over 20 years.

She was honorably discharged and retired as Sergeant First Class after 20 years of active military service (1975 – 1995) in the United States Army. She was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3d Award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Good Conduct Medal (6 ^th Award).

She was later employed by the Society of Research Administrators International, Inc. (SRA) Fairfax, Virginia (1996 – 2002).

She played high school basketball, and enjoyed bowling and loved babies and small children. She was a born-again Christian and was an active church & charity supporter.

She will be remembered by often declaring "I can DO this!!!".

She is survived by her husband, Levander A. Lawson, Jr., Smyrna, Delaware; son, Wesley M. West, Anoka, Minnesota; daughter-in-law, Rita G. West, Anoka, Minnesota; and a grandson, Garrett R. West, Anoka, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be held 11 AM Tuesday April 4 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, where a visitation will be held at 10 AM. Burial with military honors will be held 1 PM at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Rd., Bear, DE.

A heartfelt thanks to all who were able to attend, and also to those who could not be present. Thanks be to our Heavenly Father for those who helped our family throughout Mary's long, extended illness. May God bless and keep you, always….

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Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.