Mildred May Lawton

Mildred “Mickey” Lawton, age 94, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Presbyterian Manor in Topeka. Mildred was born on a farm near Elmont, Kansas September 15, 1921 to Ira and Grace Mitchell Kirkwood. Mildred graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1940 where she played on the women’s basketball team. Mildred married Joseph Lawton December 4, 1943. He preceded her in death in 1999. Mildred was a devoted wife and mother and a member of the Elmont United Methodist Church for over 60 years and taught Sunday School for more than 40 years of that time. Mildred, her late husband Joe and Jim Coder, former pastor of the Elmont church, were the founders of the Elmont Opry, a family oriented country music show that was started in the early 1970’s to raise money to build a fellowship hall for the Elmont United Methodist Church. Early shows were performed throughout Northeastern Kansas at schools, county fairs and other community gatherings. Following the completion of the church fellowship hall, it became the home for Opry for over 40 years. Mildred sang and played guitar in the show and was best known for kicking off the show with the song “Howdy All You Friends and Neighbors”. One of Mildred’s passions was sending cards to relatives and friends for birthdays, anniversaries or any special occasions.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Grace Kirkwood, her husband Joe of over 56 years and a brother, Donald Kirkwood. Survivors include two sons, Lonnie (Brenda) Lawton of Lenexa, KS and Alan (Carolyn) Lawton of Topeka; a daughter, Helen (Randy) Russell of Kaiser, MO; a brother, Harry Kirkwood of Owensboro, KY; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Saturday, 11:00 a.m. March 5, 2016 at the Davidson Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday prior to the service. She will lie in state from Noon-5:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Half Day Cemetery at Elmont. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elmont United Methodist Church and sent in care of the Davidson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at davidsonfuneral.com.