Lawson Lunsford Jr.

Murris Lawson Lunsford, Jr. (Lawson) was born June 26, 1940 to Murris and Jennie Crossland Lunsford in Nacogdoches County, Texas. He died February 28, 2021, at home after a long battle with physical decline, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease. He was next to the youngest of five with four older sisters and one younger. He worked for the Nacogdoches City Fire Department from April 4, 1962 to December 31, 1987, except for two years in the United States Army from October 1965 to September 1967. He was deployed to Vietnam for a year during this time. His friends at the Fire Department knew him best as "Litnen" from his steady, purposeful pace.

Lawson married Frances Ann Hybner in Houston, Texas on February 12, 1972. She survives him.

Lawson loved the old country music and singers, along with Bluegrass music. He and Frances Ann attended many festivals during the 1980s through 2000. When he was home music was going on his stereo, playing 33 1/3 RPM albums, 8-track tapes, cassette tapes, or CDs depending on the year.

Even though he would not play for anyone, he loved to pick and play the guitar and sing.

Lawson was saved at the age of 8. He was baptized and proud to be a member of New Hope Congregational Methodist Church his entire life. He became active in 2001 attending Sunday School regularly, ringing the bell before church service every Sunday, and providing free coffee and breakfast at the Common Grounds Coffee ministry every Thursday morning when school was in session.

Lawson is survived by his wife of 49 years, Frances Ann Hybner Lunsford; daughter, Cheryl Darlene Lunsford of Point, Texas; grandson, Danny Ray Lunsford and wife Alexandra of Riesel; granddaughter, Britney Lee Lunsford of Mount Pleasant; great-grandchildren, Troy, Maizie, and Weston Lunsford; father-in-law, Philip Hybner; brother-in-law, Philip Hybner, Jr. and wife Terri; nieces, Kathy Lambert Sheller, Sherry Willson Walters, Teresa Sparks Coats and husband Alton (Buddy) Coats, Rebecca Wilson Blanton and husband Larry Blanton; nephew, Joe Reginald Lambert; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and their spouses, Troyce and Reginald Lambert, Jo and Euland (Bill) Willson, Murvis and Durell Wilson, Bonnie and Allen Shackelford, and Linda Sparks; brother-in-law, Cecil Sparks; nieces, Regina Lambert Upchurch and Diana Wilson; and nephew, Wayne Sparks.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel officiated by Pastor Brian Tyre. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mr. Lawson's great-nephews, James Andrew Moore, Eric Haltom, Jimmy Dalton, Kyle Blanton, Kenneth Blanton, Tim Coats, and Daniel Coats.

Honorary pallbearers will be Old Timers Fireman's Reunion and The Nacogdoches City Fire Department.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Happy at Home Health, Harbor Hospice, and Visiting Angels for all the love and care they gave Lawson during these last 3 years.

"I can never thank Helen Sparks and Sherry Walters enough for being there with me in the last few months."

Memorial donations can be given to New Hope Church, Hilltop Camp & Convention Center, The Humane Society of Nacogdoches, or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.