Omeda Joy Lawson passed away peacefully in Texas August 31, 2026. She was born March 25, 1935, in Elmore City, Oklahoma, and lived a life marked by faith, devotion to family, generosity and practical wisdom.
A 1953 graduate of Maysville High School, Omeda carried herself with quiet capability and purpose throughout her life. In 1954, she started working at First National Bank, Maysville as teller. She was known for being especially good with numbers and with making the most of what was available. Her family knew her approach as “Omedanomics,” a steady philosophy that helped ensure there was always enough: tithe 10 percent of your gross, save 10 percent of your gross, pay your taxes, then spend the rest any way you want. It was a reflection of her discipline, her values, and her care for those around her.
On March 23, 1957, she married Marvin Lawson, Jr., beginning a marriage that remained central to her life. Her faith also became a defining part of her journey.
In 1962, during a revival at First Baptist Church in Maysville, both Omeda and Marvin were baptized. From that point forward, she continued growing in her spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
She loved serving in her church and was often the first to volunteer to host a dinner for any evangelist or out-of-town minister passing through. Her church membership was at First Baptist Norman, and after Marvin’s passing, she attended First Baptist Purcell. Her spirit of service extended beyond the sanctuary as well, as she volunteered at the church clothes closet, at Purcell Hospital and in elections.
Omeda’s gifts were expressed in many everyday ways. She could sew, and in her 20s she made some of her own clothes.
There always seemed to be a new pattern she was working on, a skill rooted in the resourcefulness of a flour sack dress girl.
Her desire to cook for others began early in life during broom corn harvests, when her mother fed the broom corn “johnnies” three meals a day. At times, as many as 70 johnnies were on the farm helping bring in the crop, and that spirit of feeding people well and welcoming them warmly stayed with Omeda throughout her life.
Family was one of her greatest joys. She always looked forward to seeing loved ones and made Adams and Kay family reunions a priority. In later years, her grandchildren brought her tremendous pride and happiness, and her love for her family remained one of the clearest expressions of who she was.
She is survived by her son, Phillip Lawson and Sandra of Trophy Club, Texas; her brother, Carl Kay; her grandson, Bryce Lawson and wife Julie; granddaughter, Courtney Gilbert and husband Kincade; and great-grandchildren Harper, Emmy, Laney and Beau. They, along with those who knew and loved her, will remember her for her steadfast faith, her generous table, her practical wisdom and the loving way she cared for her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Lawson, Jr., and by her parents, Marvin and Maggie Kay. Omeda leaves behind a legacy of faith, hospitality, generosity and family devotion. Her life was a blessing to many, and her memory will be cherished with love and gratitude.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children: obhc.org.
Funeral Services were Tuesday, Sept.
8, at the Winans Funeral Home Chapel in Maysville, with burial at Antioch Cemetery. Services were under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at winansfuneralhome. com.
