Bishop Larry LaRue Lawson

Bishop Larry Lawson was born June 6,1949 to the late Elder John L. Lawson, Sr. and Missionary Erma M. Mitchell Lawson, he was the eldest of eight children.

He grew up on the Northside of Longview. Education received from Janie Daniels Elementary; Maggie B- Hudson Jr. High School; and graduated from Mary C. Womack High School in 1967. He just celebrated with his classmates in their “50th Year'' Reunion. Also, he attended Kilgore Jr. College, where he received an associate's degree in Drafting.

He went on to further his education at East Texas State University in Conmerce, TX.

In 1970, he married Sherry McGee to this union four children were born. In 1980, he re-married, to Yorlanda Swift and to this union one child was born.

Bishop Larry worked for Sun Oil Company through it's transition to Oryx Energy to Kerr-McGee. Upon retiring after 27 years of service, he moved into ministry in 1999. He pastored at Friendship Baptist Church, in Tatum from 1985 - 1989. From l989 until present ministering in total "Deliverance" with Miracle Tabernacle House of Prayer where he was one of the chartered members, which opened in 1985. He was elevated from Elder to Apostle then to “Bishop” Larry Lawson in May 2009. He also received his Doctorate in Ministry Degree. He also worked for Citizens Funeral Home for numerous years. He was a faithful and loveable man that loved life and people.

He was preceded in death by his Father Elder John L. Sr., mother Missionary Erma “Maxine” Lawson,one sister, Evangelist Glenda Lawson, and one brother, Kenneth Lawson Sr.,

Bishop Larry is survived by his wife, Yorlanda; children : Stacy, Kenya (Thadmon) Lewis, Tiaa (Bruce) Jeffery, Jade and Charity. Five siblings, Honorable Arch Bishop John L. Jr., Apostle Rickey (Bobbie) of Liberty City; Bishop Stanley (Cathy) of Kilgore; Apostle Jewel Johnson (Vernon Sr.) and Ramona of Longview; six grandchildren : Damian Lawson, Jada Skinner, Laporcha Lawson, D'Mecia Pippins, DeKamian Rougely, Ja'Derek Elam; six great-grandchildren: Jaidyn Skinner, Meyah Jaimes, Demi Lewis, Jarek Elam and Ivyon Sunders all of Longview; Aunts : Lola (Bill) Gray , Betty (Leroy) King both of Longview and Gloria O’Neal of California; two special friends: Apostle Ray Bradley and Elder Albert Johnson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The staff of Citizens Funeral Home/T.L. Knighton Jr. will keep you and your family in our prayers