Martha Ella Randall Lawson

Martha Ella Randall Lawson, 97, long time resident of Decatur, died Monday February 26, 2018 at Hospice Atlanta Center. Born in 1920 in Marietta, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. P.C. Randall, Martha was the eldest of six children.

She was the wife of Evvard Lawson, who preceded her in death. She lived in the Atlanta area all her life, except for a few years after WWII when she traveled to Japan to be with her husband serving in the U.S. Army. During WW II she along with her sister Emily worked at the Lakewood General Motors plant, which had been made available for the war effort.

She was a very active member at Antioch Baptist Church and a pillar of her neighborhood. She had many friends and never met a stranger. Extremely optimistic and generous, she always wanted to give you some-thing when you came to visit her and often said, “Don’t let anyone steal your joy.” A devoted animal lover, she always had a dog or two throughout her life and would feed the birds, and any animal that wondered into her yard. Throughout the years, she supported Zoo Atlanta and donated bamboo from her yard to feed the Pandas. Remarkably independent, she lived alone until her recent illness.

Martha is survived by her nieces, Sherry McDowell Crimmins, Judy McDowell, Becky Sims, Jan Randall Alexander; nephews, Tony Randall, Tim Randall, Todd Randall, Eric Randall, and many great nieces and nephews. Martha had no children, but regarded her nieces and nephews as her own.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Antioch Baptist Church, 7949 Tara Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30236 and Paws Atlanta, 5287 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30035.

A Celebration of Life Service is planned for Saturday, April 21, 2018. Family visitation is at 3:00 pm, with memorial service at 4:00 pm at A. S. Turner & Sons, 2773 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA 30033.