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John Henry
Lawson
Brief Sketch On The Life Of J.H. Lawson
J. H. Lawson was born June 12, 1867 in Lawrence County, Arkansas where he grew to manhood. January 12, 1891 he married Miss Ocra Fay Flythe, who became a faithful and devoted wife and mother. Ten children were born to the family, three of whom died in early life. Best accounts available show Brother Lawson began preaching when 21 years old. Then for 18 years until 1906 he devoted his entire time to the work of an evangelist, holding meetings and debates in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas. He had baptized more than 2,500 persons, established 36 congregations and engaged in sixty religious discussions. He met some of the best known debaters among the denominations--Ray, Hall, Cauce, Weaver, Williams, and others. He authored a number of tracts and books. At the openings of the Kiowa-Commanche Indian Reservation in Oklahoma, he moved his family into it, and for nearly three years he gave his time to establishing Churches of Christ in that country. Sixteen congregations were established as direct results of his labors. In 1906 he lost his home by fire. Sickness and deaths in his family added to his difficulties, and he found himself in debt. In 1908 he gave up his evangelistic work and went before the Supreme Court of Oklahoma and was granted a certificate to practice law. He was admitted to the bar on December 3, 1908 having made the highest grade of the seventy-seven who took the required examination at the same time. Success as an attorney was great. Records show that by 1911. He had more than thirty cases in the District Court and won every one of them. While practicing law he continued to preach each Lord's day and longed for the day when he could again enter the evangelistic field. Of course, the day came. Brother Clarence Smith told me an interesting story. He had been engaged to lead the singing in the early 1930's for a meeting in which Brother Lawson did the preaching at Lynn, Arkansas in Brother Lawson's home county. They had gone down to the General Store at Strawberry together one day when they found a checker game in progress. The custom then at most general stores was for two to play until one had won two games out of three. He then gave up his seat to another who challenged and who then tried his skill. They bantered the preacher to take the empty seat. He pleaded that he wasn't too good and hadn't played lately, but on their insistence took the vacant seat. He kept the winner's seat until he had won the championship of the town and retired undefeated. It built up his status quo considerably and added to the respect the town had for him. It was a pleasure to hear the checker champion preach. I followed the trail of this great preacher until I lost it with the last account when on March 6, 1934 he was living in Oklahoma City, Okla. and preached until his death in 1935. His remains were placed in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to await the coming of the Lord. -Updated From Arkansas Angels, Boyd E. Morgan, pages 43,44
Location of the Grave J.H. Lawson is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The cemetery is located at 13400 N. Kelly, Oklahoma City, OK 73131-1295. Contact the office at 405-478-0556. Take I-235 through the center of the city heading north. After crossing I-44 the road becomes Hwy 77. It is best to get off Hwy. 77 at the E. Hefner Exit and head east. Turn left on N. Kelly Avenue. Just after you pass under the John Kilpatrick Turnpike you will see the cemetery on the right. Enter the cemetery from North Kelly Avenue in front of the offices and go to the right of the office. Bear to the right and go out Arlington Way to the second left. Turn left and Section 25 should be to your left and 28 on your right. Go to the next section on the right. This is Section 29, Lot 84, Space 3. While in the cemetery be sure to visit the graves of other preachers of the past: James O. Baird and Doug Lawyer. GPS Coordinates
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