Linnie Louise Lawson

She was born October 10, 1937, in Columbia, Missouri, the daughter of Dewey B. Hardin, Sr. and Rachel M. (McAllister) Hardin.

Louise moved to Brown Station, Missouri, at the age of three, where she attended O’Rear Country School. She then attended the University of Missouri Laboratory School, graduating in June 1955.

Following graduation, Louise began her career at the University of Missouri, working in the administration office from June 1955 until August 1966. She served as a supervisor in the student records department at the time of her departure.

In August 1966, Louise and her husband, Douglass, moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she was employed by Valley National Bank as a loan officer and assistant branch manager. In 1985, Louise and her family returned to Missouri, where she worked as an academic advisor at the University of Missouri Graduate School. In this role, she assisted countless master’s and doctoral students throughout their academic journeys.

Louise was an active member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Centralia, MO. She took pride in her involvement in planning and participating in church events which allowed her to do the things she loved which included playing the piano. Oh how she loved to play the piano.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Shawn Edwards and husband Richard of Centralia; a grandson, Richard D. Edwards and wife Bailey of Waynesville, Missouri; a granddaughter, Emma Edwards and her boyfriend, Kelby Moore of Wellsville, Missouri; a brother, Don Hardin of Columbia, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Wanda Hardin of Columbia and Leila Hardin of Fulton, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Lowell Lawson of Phoenix, Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Douglass Lawson; seven brothers, Edward, Jr., Dewey, Gene, Francis, Lesley, and Wesley Hardin; and one sister, Helen Kircher.

Services honoring and celebrating Louise’s life will be held at a later date at Cornerstone Baptist Church.