Mr. "James" Joseph Lawson, age 76 of Rocky Face, GA, departed this life Tuesday, May 8 at his home.  He was known as "Wessel" by his work friends.

James was born in Lee County, Virginia, June 8, 1941 to the late Willie David and Mollie Catherine Johnson Lawson.  Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by brothers, Andrew, Ed, Lee, George, John M. and Elmer Lawson.

He was a member of Welcome Hill Baptist Church.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was a big collector of rings and watches.

James is survived by his loving wife, who he would have celebrated 35 years of marriage this year, Linda Faye Adams Lawson, to whom he was married on June 10, 1983 of Rocky Face; sons, Jacob Lane and Ashley Henderson Lawson of Lafayette, GA, David Lawson of Chatsworth, GA; daughters, Lisa Waters of Chatsworth, GA, Kathy Fowler and Chad Roberts of Chatsworth; grandchildren, Drew Fowler, Tori Stewart, Drake Fowler, Kaitlyn Fowler, Derrick Fowler, Tristen Roberts, Josh Waters and Jason Waters; great-grandchildren, Kayden Fowler, Conner Fugate, Brantley Fowler, Jadence Fowler, Jayston Fowler, and Waylon Fowler; sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Kenneth Atkins of Big Stone Gap, VA, Linda and Jerry Bowen of VA, Rosetta Ridley of Dalton, GA, Mary Miles of VA; brothers and sister-in-law, William Lawson of VA, Sherman and Gail Lawson of Chatsworth, GA; several nieces, nephews, and other family also survive.

A service to celebrate the life of James Lawson will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. in the Ponders Melrose Chapel with Reverend Paul Armstrong officiating.

He will be laid to rest at Ponders Whitfield Memorial Gardens.

Derrick Fowler, Donnie Lawson, Tim Lawson, Chad Roberts, Brian Lawson, Woody Lawson, and Raymond Tate will be honored to serve as pallbearers.

Friends may visit with the Lawson family on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Ponders Melrose Chapel between the hours of 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

Condolences may be expressed to the Lawson family at www.pondersfuneralhome.com .
Arrangements by, Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive Dalton, GA 30721, 706-226-4002
Your Selected Independent Funeral Home.