Nona G. (Smith) Lawson

Nona Glee (Smith) Lawson was born August 3, 1943 in Vendor, Arkansas and departed this life on August 7, 2021 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by the love of her family, at the age of 78 years and 4 days.

Nona was the youngest daughter of Charley Alford and Nancy Ellen (Smith) Smith. The family moved from Vendor, Arkansas to Kansas City, Missouri when Nona was 9. She graduated from Ruskin Senior Highschool in 1960. Nona worked as a secretary and paralegal for many years prior to taking a position at Baptist-Lutheran Medical Center, where she worked for 26 years until it’s closure in 2006, at which time she continued her career in Health Information Management at Research Medical Center until her passing, having recently celebrated her 41st anniversary with HCA Midwest.

Nona had many hobbies, including crocheting, reading mystery novels, gardening and baking. The first day of school was known simply as “Cookie Day” in her household, with family and friends dropping by to enjoy her famous chocolate chip cookies over multiple generations. Nona spent much of her free time surrounded by her family. She especially loved to cheer them on at sporting events, spending many nights and weekends in the stands at one of the kid’s games. Nona was at the heart of every important family tradition, small and large, from watching episodes of NCIS with her grandchildren to hosting family meals for many holidays throughout the year. Christmas was her favorite holiday of all and she went above and beyond to make it special for her loved ones every year.

She is proceeded in death by her husband of 46 years, Lee Roy Lawson, her parents, Charley and Ellen Smith, her son, Robert Keith Blackburn, and her eldest daughter, Kari Jean Tabor. 

Nona is survived by her sister, Vonia Charlene Smith, daughters, Stephanie (Mike) Lucas, Kim (Brent) Madewell, Lori (Gary) Cox, and Kelly (Marc) McCabe, grandchildren, Amber (Brad) Blackburn, Lauren (Chris) Robles, Logan, Landen and Lillyan Lucas, and great-grandchildren, Christopher and Maverick Robles.

The family of Nona Glee Lawson will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 13, 2021 at the Wallace Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Wallace Funeral Home with Pastor Ryan Holt officiating. Casket Bearers will be Mike Lucas, Logan Lucas, Landen Lucas, Brad Daugherty, Chris Robles and John Gilliland. Honorary Bearer will be Terry Smith. Interment will be in the Belton Cemetery, Belton, Missouri.