Lawson, Joseph Patterson

Joseph Patterson Lawson, 91, of Roanoke, Va., died Wednesday morning, February 11, 2009, at his home. He was born in Floyd, Va., a son of the late Harry Leland and Effie Proffitt Lawson.

Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Mary Cobb Hayward Lawson; his second wife of 40 years, Marie (Pat) Patterson Albertson Lawson; his two brothers, Harry Leland Lawson Jr. and Greene Howard Lawson; and his sister, Sue Lawson Frantz.

Surviving are his sons, Joseph Patterson Lawson Jr., of Richmond, John Hayward Lawson and wife, Kathryn, of Roanoke; stepchildren, David A. Albertson and his wife, Elizabeth, of Winston-Salem, N.C., Douglas E. Albertson and wife, Stewart, of Richmond, Va., and Patricia A. Albertson, of Richmond, Va.; daughterin-law, Martha K. Albertson, of Lewisville, N.C.; grandchildren, John Hayward Lawson Jr., Mary Cobb Lawson; stepgrandchildren, Zachary, Hannah Emily, Peggy, Grace and Luke Albertson; and three stepgreat-grandchildren, Leah, Peter and Sam Albertson.

He was the president, then chairman, of Lawson Company, Inc., a family enterprise with farming, timber and real estate interests and was a long time director of the former Colonial-American National Bank. During World War II, he served as lead pilot in the 96th Bomb Group of the 3rd Division of the 8th Air Force. Stationed in England, he flew 33 missions and was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star. He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, The Shenandoah Club, The German Club and the Scorpions. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fly fish and hunt quail.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving devotion provided by his two caregivers, Damika Joseph and Mamie McLean, who profoundly enhanced the quality of his life over the past several years.

A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, Saturday, February 14, 2009, at 2 p.m. with Gerald Carter officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Help Fund of Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Ave., SW, Roanoke, Va. 24016 or the Nature Conservancy of Virginia, 490 Westfield Rd., Charlottesville, Va. 22901.