Mary Josephine Lotton

Lotton, Mary Jo of Lawrence, KS, passed away on June 17, 2014 at home surrounded by family following a brief illness. She was 82 years old. Born on April 3, 1932 in Ponca City, OK, Mary was the third child of Homer and Fay Ormand. She grew up in the family home with her older siblings, Bud and Virginia, and her younger brother Steven. Mary graduated from Ponca City High School in 1951 and married Everett Eugene “Gene” Lotton of Tonkawa on June 1, 1952. After their marriage, the Lottons relocated to Wichita, KS, where Gene worked at Beech Aircraft. One of Mary’s proudest achievements was her seven children: Debra, Sandra, Darla, Dawn, Denise, David, and Danielle; all graduates of Wichita East High School. A house with seven children can be quite chaotic, and the Lotton home was no exception. Mary was the center of the household; her kitchen was not only home base to her many kids, but to their multitudes of friends as well. She was the consummate mother: unconditionally loving and caring for kids, cats, plants, and of course Gene. A few years after Gene’s death in 1997, Mary moved to Lawrence to live with her youngest daughter Danielle and her husband Kelly. In time, their children Zora and Finn joined the family and “Memaw’s” kind and loving light was an inspiration to all who entered their home. Mary leaves behind a legacy of love to her surviving family: her son, David E. Lotton and partner Cynthia Ferrer, of Boulder, CO; and her six daughters: Debra J. Lymer of Wichita, Sandra D. Miles and husband Ronald Miles of Liberty, MO; Darla J. Davis and husband Brian Davis of Wichita; Dawn L. Winn and husband Clark Winn of Wichita; Denise K. Freisberg of Northampton, MA; and Danielle LottonBarker and husband Kelly Barker of Lawrence. She was predeceased by two grandchildren and leaves fourteen grandchildren, 22 greatgrandchildren, three cats, one dog, and hundreds of friends and unofficially adopted “kids.” Services will be held at 10 AM on Monday, June 23 at Resthaven Chapel in Wichita. A needsbased scholarship has been established with Lawrence Public Schools in Mary's name. Please make checks payable to the “Lawrence Schools Foundation," specifying the Mary Lotton Memorial. Donations may be mailed to: Lawrence Schools Foundation 110 McDonald Drive Lawrence, KS 66044.