WISE, VA. FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Elbert Ray Lawson Jr., 79, passed from this life on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Ray was born to Elbert Ray Lawson and Eleanor Keesee Lawson in Marion, Virginia. Ray was a part business owner with his brother, Steve, of Lawson Water Conditioning and NAPA Auto Parts in Wise. Ray was involved in many events and was the recipient of the Town of Wise Hometown Hero Award. He was a member of the Wise Business Association. When his health permitted, he attended the Presbyterian Church.
Ray was also a lover of music and shared his love of music as a volunteer radio announcer on WMMT Radio in Whitesburg for many years. He was a member of the Otis Campbell Society. He enjoyed pitching horseshoes, fishing and many other activities with lifelong friends. Ray was a kind, gentle soul and a friend to many and he never met a stranger. Ray had a wonderful sense of humor and told great stories. He loved his family dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Eleanor Lawson; his son, David; his granddaughter, Kaylee and his brother, Freddy.
He is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl; sons, Michael (Michelle) and James (Regina); stepdaughters, Kim (Rod) and Gina (Tim); grandchildren, Aaron, Corey and Brianna; step-grandchildren, Sarah (Dan), Seth and Andrew (Andrea); great-grandchildren, Chloe, Caden, Elise, Audrey, David, Scarlett, Adeline, Afton and Raylan; sister, Kaye (Alan); brother, Steve (Valerie); many cousins and friends to celebrate his memory.
Funeral services for Ray Lawson will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, March 2, 2023 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel Wise, VA with Rev. Will Gipe officiating. Burial will follow in the Wise Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted prior to services at the funeral home. Family will receive friends from 12:00 noon till time of services at 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the Sturgill Funeral Home Wise, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Wise County Food Bank P.O. Box 2977, Wise VA.
Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.
Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.