Life story

" Laura Lee Lawson (Kirkpatrick), aged 88, passed away on August 5, 2024, in Culpeper, VA. Born on June 2, 1936, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Laura was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who left a lasting impact on her family and community.

Laura met her beloved husband, Patrick D. Lawson, in 1949, and they were married on September 7, 1954. After moving across the country to Virginia, where Pat began a career with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Laura dedicated herself to raising their three children: Michael, Linda, and Suzanne. The family lived in Alexandria, VA for 13 years before moving to Clifton, VA.

In Clifton, Laura pursued her passion for interior design, earning an Associate’s Degree in Interior Design from Northern Virginia Community College. She worked as an interior designer in high-end stores such as Ethan Allen in Fairfax, bringing beauty and elegance into the homes of her clients.

Laura and Pat purchased a farm in Culpeper and moved there in 1979. Once Pat moved closer to retirement age with his federal government job, he and Laura decided to raise purebred sheep. They raised Suffolk sheep and began to show and sell them. Their sheep became well known so much so that they sold them oversees to places such as Ireland and Africa. Their daughter, Suzanne, joined them raising purebred sheep on their farm. Michael moved onto Lawson Deerfield Farm land where he raised his family and work as a firefighter, paramedic with Prince William County in Virginia. Linda moved to Culpeper with her husband after he finished his law degree.

Laura wrote and began to publish various books on the care and raising of sheep. Her books moved into how to make a living on a sheep farm. Even as late as the past few years, Laura was stopped and asked and complimented about her books on Sheep.

Laura started an online business called Sheep Gifts and More where they sold a variety of sheep products such as sheepskins, shoes, bedroom slippers, and all items related to sheep.

Laura is survived by her husband, Patrick; daughters, Linda Lawson Close (Gary) and Suzanne Lawson Bennett; grandchildren, Ashley Bennett Brown (Ian), Kerie Bennett, Erin Bennett, Bailey Bennett Fink (Zachary), Margaret Close Elliot (Matt), Patrick Close, Heidi Lawson Barton (John), Heather Lawson Brown, Petra Lawson-Mullins (Jody), and numerous great-grandchildren Nora Elliott, Zoey Fink, Carey and Caiden Brown (twins) Makayla Smith, Gabriel Barton, Nicholas and Benjamin Cook, Dawson Vasila, Dustin and Alexander Brown. She also leaves behind her brother, Raymond Kirkpatrick (Mary - deceased), and sisters, Karen Wischmann (George - deceased) and Kathleen Coppock and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvoidy and Margaret Kirkpatrick; son, Michael J. Lawson (Shirley - deceased); and brother, Richard Kirkpatrick.

Laura's legacy of love, creativity, and dedication will be cherished and remembered by all who knew her.
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