Katerina Lawson

Katerina June (Sapp) Lawson, daughter of the late Ellery and Gladys (Hicks) Sapp, was born on July 16, 1939, in Starke, Florida. She departed this life on November 6, 2025, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 86 years, 3 months, and 21 days.

Katerina grew up as one of eight children in Jacksonville, Florida, where her parents owned and operated a local grocery store. She graduated from Jacksonville High School.

Shortly after graduation, her sister's boyfriend, David George, set her up on a blind date with one of his friends. The date was an “I owe you” situation, as David had acquired a ride from a fellow Navy man by the name of Gilbert Lawson. That blind date ended up being just the beginning of a life full of adventures and memories built together. On December 26, 1956, they were united in marriage, and this union was blessed with four children.

Katerina spent the majority of her life as a homemaker, living the life of a Navy wife, traveling all across the United States and raising her four children. Their adventures even took them on a cross-country trip with their three-week-old baby when Gilbert received his new orders to relocate from their home in Florida to California; a trip made over the course of a week in a 1953 Ford.

While stationed in New Orleans, Katerina's friend, Joyce Gates, was applying for a job at the Naval Exchange. Katerina decided to go with her friend and apply too. She had no intention of actually getting a job; she simply wanted to “help her out because she felt bad for her.” She landed the job and spent the next two and a half years in the Naval Exchange before returning to being a homemaker.

Katerina was saved at a young age. She and Gilbert faithfully attended Zion Lutheran Church, of which they were members. Every summer during VBS, she would invite her grandkids to come stay with her and take them along. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of whom she was very proud.

Katerina was the type of person who would always remember birthdays and anniversaries. You could always expect a card or gift from her on these special occasions.

Katerina was preceded in death by her parents, Ellery and Gladys Sapp; five sisters, Iris Johns, Marlene Conaway, Wanita Jarrell, Joyce George, and Irene Johns; two brothers, Edgar Sapp and L.C. Sapp; and one grandson, Billy Bob Keeler.

She is survived by her husband, Gilbert Lawson; four children, Leslie Lawson of Diggins, Missouri, Steven Lawson of Republic, Missouri, Darren Lawson and his wife, Deborah, of Springfield, Missouri, and Tamala Lawson Keeler of Springfield, Missouri; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and several other relatives and friends.

Katerina was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Contributions can be dropped off in person at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home Seymour or can be Mailed to: P.O. Box 366 Seymour, Missouri 65746.