Reverend Joseph Douglas Lawson, 87 years old, died on Friday, January 14, 2022 in Southern Pines, North Carolina. He was born in Durham, North Carolina on August 31, 1933 to the late Gladys (Wilson) Lawson and the late Thomas J. Lawson. Father Lawson was predeceased by his siblings, his brothers, Father Robert Lawson (a priest of the Diocese of Raleigh) and Dr. Thomas Lawson and his sister, Mrs. Marie Jernigan. Father Lawson is survived by his sister, Mrs. Dolores Harris, his brothers, Mr. John Lawson and Mr. Mark Lawson and his nephew, Mr. Sam Jernigan, III.
Father Lawson graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Durham, NC and after discerning a vocation to the priesthood, Father Lawson entered the Franciscan Friars Conventual Novitiate and attended Saint Francis Seminary (High School) in Staten Island, NY and Saint Anthony on the Hudson Seminary (College and Theology) in Rensselaer, NY. Father Lawson was ordained to the Priesthood for the Franciscans on May 26, 1962 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, New York by the Most Reverend William A. Scully, Bishop of Albany. Additionally, Father Lawson completed a Masters in Education at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY.
For the Franciscans, Father Lawson served as a missionary in Brazil; as Assistant Dean at Saint Francis Seminary in Staten Island, NY; as Mission Procurator; as a Hospital Chaplain; as Vicar Provincial; as a Priest Chaplain in the United States Army; and as Pastor of Infant of Prague Parish in Jacksonville, NC.
Incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Raleigh in December 1996, Father Lawson then continued to serve in priestly ministry as Parochial Vicar at Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Cary; as Administrator of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Wake Forest; and as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Southport. Father Lawson retired from active priestly ministry in July 2004, and until recently, continued to serve, assisting in priestly ministry throughout the Cape Fear Deanery and throughout the Diocese of Raleigh.
The funeral arrangements for Father Lawson are as follows: Reception of the Body on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 5:00 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport, the Very Rev. John McGee, OSFS, V.F., Presiding. The visitation and private prayer will then follow until 6:00 pm when the Vigil of the Deceased will be celebrated, with visitation following until 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport, with the Most Rev. Luis Rafael Zarama, Bishop of Raleigh, Principal Celebrant and the Rev. Msgr. John J. Williams, Homilist. Internment will take place at a later time in Southport.
Mass Cards and condolences may be sent to the Family of Father Lawson, care of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5269 Dosher Cutoff SE, Southport, NC 28461.
Online condolences may also be made via Peacock, Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com
Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service (910) 457-6944 - 1411 N Howe St Southport, NC 28461
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