Rita Mae Lawson, 77, widow of James Gary Lawson, Sr, passed away Friday, April 19, 2024. Born in Lexington, KY, she was the daughter of the late Hubert Clayton Smithers and Agnes Lilly (Kelly) Keefe.

A retired supervisor with Mini Data, she enjoyed crafts, knitting, sewing and loved to work with diamond art. She was a fan of the Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey team and enjoyed going to the Red Mile.

She is survived by her children, Kathy (Anthony) Simpson and James Gary (Janie) Lawson, Jr; siblings, Ralph Smithers, Marion (J.B.) McCartt, Rose Fallis and Cecelia Ashcraft; grandchildren, Jacob Lawson, Andrew Drury, Jeremy Drury, Evan Lawson, Hope Lawson and Haley Drury; great grandchildren, Izabella Lawson, Carson Lawson, Harper Lawson, , Silas Caudill, Greyson Caudill and Theo Drury. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Richard and Jack Smithers.

Visitation will be 2-4 PM Sunday at Johnson's Funeral Home. Burial will be 12:30 PM Tuesday at Camp Nelson National Cemetery.