Arlene Lawson

Edith “Arlene” Lawson was born May 27, 1940 in Sickles, Oklahoma to J. D. Murchison and Clara (Smith) Murchison. She passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Oklahoma City at the age of 84. She married Buddy Lawson on November 16, 1959 in Durant, Oklahoma. They met in Binger, Oklahoma. Buddy was parked at a stop sign and Arlene crossed the street in front of him and it was love at first sight! She attended school at Binger and Lookeba-Sicles. She received her Bachelor’s Degree at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

Arlene taught math at Calvin and Holdenville Public Schools for many years. She was a beloved teacher by so many past students. Several past students have remarked about how their understanding and love for math stemmed from her teaching. She was an outstanding math teacher. She not only knew how to do very hard math, but knew how to teach it as well.

Arlene enjoyed all kinds of hobbies: reading, doing research for her lessons she taught in Sunday School, embroidery, crocheting, puzzles, cooking, baking, gardening, canning, taking care of her cats, and working in the yard. She loved to be busy keeping her mind sharp. Arlene lived life to the fullest, giving 100% in everything she did. She loved doing things for others and for her family. She liked to play a good game of Dominoes with her husband, Buddy. They would usually play a few games before and after lunch. She showed him no mercy. If he won, fine, but he had to earn the victory! It was the same for her son, Dean, and grandsons, Andrew and Daniel and his wife, Haley. She taught them to play, but they had to win on their own.

She loved to do things for her grandchildren Andrew, Jillian and Daniel. She and her granddaughter, Jillian, shared their love of cats and talked about them often. Andrew often sought help about math and they had conversations about problems. She and Daniel often talked about smoking meats. She treasured those conversations with each of them.

She also loved making hand embroidered quilts and Afghans for her great grandkids, Charleigh, Aria and Boston. She just recently finished getting three full sized quilts quilted and ready to give them before she passed away. Arlene was well known for her great cooking, baking cakes and homemade chocolate and coconut cream pies. She will be greatly missed by her family and community.

She is preceded in death by her father, JD Murchison, mother Clara Nelson, and sister Connie Mayes.

She is survived by her husband, Buddy, of Non; son Dean Lawson and his wife, Lisa and granddaughter, Jillian, of McAlester; daughter Jean Alexander and her husband, James, of Holdenville; grandson Andrew Alexander, his wife, Allison, great granddaughter Aria of Fort Campbell, Kentucky; grandson Daniel Alexander, his wife, Haley, great granddaughter Charleigh and great grandson Boston of Moore, Oklahoma; brother Jerry Murchison and wife Mary Beth of Jay, Oklahoma; sisters Starr Barkman of Niles, Michigan, Marilyn Murchison Tyrell of Washington, and Zandra Murchison Forie of California; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services will be Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Richmond Avenue Free Will Baptist Church in Allen, Oklahoma at 10:00am. She will be laid to rest at Non Cemetery in Non, Oklahoma.

Rev. Bobby Briggs is the offi ciating minister. Pallbearers are Timmy Don Abney, Shelley Turpin, Mike Russell, Frank Griffi th, Jeff Maloy, and Mike McCarn.

Viewing at the funeral home will be Sunday, March 23, 1:005:00pm, and Monday, March 24, 10:00am to 8:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Richmond Avenue Free Will Baptist Church of Allen, Oklahoma.