Lela Beatrice Lawler

Bea Lawler was born to James Lee and Elya Mae Decker in Rotan, TX. She graduated from Rotan High School in 1958. She left the open skies and sunsets of West Texas she loved when she headed to college at Texas Women’s University where she received her BS in Sociology in 1962.She briefly worked for the Girls Scouts before she accepted a position with the US Army running a Family Service Club at McGregor Range. That move to El Paso changed her life when she met her husband Don Lawler in the fall of 1964. The two married April 2, 1965 and recently celebrated their 60th Anniversary.

Don’s army career would take the two to Kaiserslautern, Germany, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Lawton, Oklahoma before Don retired in 1977 after twenty-two years of service. Their son, Donald W. (Don) Lawler joined the family during their years in El Paso (1967) and their daughter, Tracey joined the family while they were in Germany (1971). The family settled in Kilgore in 1977 where Don and Bea lived for over thirty years. They followed their children east and moved to Valdosta, Georgia before returning to Kilgore in 2016.

Bea made a transitioned to education and taught in El Paso ISD and Snyder ISD before their move to Germany. She would substitute at schools while their children were young. Bea accepted a position as a Special Education teacher at Kilgore High School in 1977. She would serve as a deacon, teacher, counselor, and student council sponsor at different campuses throughout her over thirty years of service with Kilgore ISD. Bea was awarded Teacher of the Year during her time with Kilgore schools.

Bea was a woman of strong faith who believed in living out her faith. She was a member of First Christian Church where she served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, various committee chairs, women’s ministries, and on the board of Disciples Crossing Camp and Conference Center.

Bea is survived by her husband of 60 years, Don and their children Don (Tracie) Lawler and Tracey (Steve) Smithson as well as their four grandchildren: Ariel (Adam) Hoch, Addison (Fennie) Lawler, Faith Lawler, Carter Smithson, and three great-grandchildren; Marshall, Austin, and Collins Hoch. She is also survived by her sister Vera Potts of Midland and numerous cousins.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, May 10th, at 1:00 PM at First Christian Church in Kilgore, officiated by Pastor Jeneille LaGrone, with arrangements provided by Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to be made to First Christian Church, 609 E. Main St., Kilgore, TX 75662, or to Disciples Crossing Camp and Conference Center, 3693 State Hwy 31, Athens, Texas 75752.