James Ray Lawson

James Ray Lawson, 71, of Springdale, Ark., passed away Sunday, May 12, 2013, at his residence. James was born in Madison County, Ark., on June 4, 1941, a son of Martin Albert and Beulah May Lawson. He married Sarcha Yuvette Jones on Dec. 13, 1972, in Madison County. James served in the U.S. Army. He retired from Heekin/Ball Corporation and was a member and song-leader at Valley Lighthouse Church in Hindsville, Ark. James was preceded in death by his parents; one stepdaughter, Kimberly Judkins; eight brothers; and one sister. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sarcha Yuvette Lawson of the home; four sons, Brian Lawson and wife, Ana, of Yucca Valley, Calif., Jimmy Lawson and fiancee, Rebecca Shumate, of Centerton, Ark., Allen Lawson and wife, Laura, of West Fork, Ark., and Kenneth Judkins of Springdale, Ark.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jerry Lawson of Springdale, Ark., Lester Lawson and wife, Sue, of Bakersfield, Calif., and Lee Lawson and wife, Laura, of Midland, Texas; one sister, Mary Davis of Riverside County, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church near Burkshed, Ark. Pastor Jimmy Bennett will officiate the services with burial to follow at the Burkshed Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lundy Davis, Buck Evans, Edward Wade, Jerry Bennett, Junior Lawson and Rex Holmesly. Military honors will be provided by Rogers VFW Post 3031. Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign an online guestbook.