Dula Williamson Laws' Obituary
On Friday February 11, 2011, a much loved Mother, Nana, Aunt, and friend died at home surrounded by her daughters and friends.
She acquired the name Miss DeDe when she worked as a co-teacher at First Methodist MDO and St. Mary's pre-school. She adored the children spending many hours at her dining table surrounded by construction paper and supplies for the children's projects. Her family teased her saying "you must make thousands of dollars a day" because she would be so generous with gifts, and she always replied " Don't worry, I paid with my MDO/teaching Money."
She collected dolls, loved to travel with her two sisters touring Nashville, Branson, and other wonderful places. A highlight was a month trip to Irapuato,. GTO, Mexico where Sheri and Larry lived at the time. Linda accompanied her and they joined every parade they saw!
DeDe was born in Marlin, Texas and moved to Longview after high school. She retired from AT&T. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Graye Laws II, her mother, Marybelle McIntyre Williamson, father, Fred Williamson, siblings, Mary Beatrice Keith, MattieBelle Cooper, and Fred C. Williamson, and grandson-in-law, Troy Jones.
DeDe is survived by her daughters Linda Laws Hane and Sheri Johnston; granddaughters, Julie Procell of Austin, Ashley Jones of Longview, Ana Lisha Johnston of Dallas, and Megaan Linda Johnston of Fort Worth, nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
At DeDe's request, there will be no visitation, a memorial book will be available to sign at Rader funeral home in Longview. Funeral mass will be at St. Anthony's Catholic Church on Tuesday February 15, at 10AM with interment to follow at Lakeview Cemetery.
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