KILMARNOCK—Betty Jean Lawton, age 95, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022, at the Commonwealth Senior Living facility in Kilmarnock.
She was born in Tampa, Fla., on December 27, 1926. She married Lawrence Lawton on Thanksgiving Day in 1966 and they shared a wonderful life and partnership throughout Larry’s naval career, living in and traveling to many countries before retiring to Weems in the mid 1970s.
Betty opened and operated the Mustard Seed gift shop in White Stone for many years.
She and Larry were active members of the Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club where Larry was commodore the year he passed away after battling cancer. They enjoyed joining fellow Grand Banks yacht owners on many fun cruises, playing golf and entertaining friends.
In her later years Betty joined the Tartan Golf Course and was affectionately referred to as the “Grand Dame” of the 9-holers golf group (even though they played 18 holes) several times a week.
She was an active and longtime member of Wicomico Church. Betty loved to garden and cook and was known for her delicious clam chowder that would sell out immediately at her church charity events.
Betty’s persona was warm, charismatic and she had an entertaining way of remembering stories that brought laughter and tears to everyone.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Lawton in 1992; and her sister and close friend, Patricia Fisch Holtsmaster of Washington, D.C., in 2006.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Elaine McNair; grandchildren, C.D. McNair and Melissa McNair; nieces, Patty Stevens and Susan Robinson and their families; and adopted family, Mike and Christine Stortz, Muffin Stortz, Melissa (Stortz) Smith; and her great-grandchildren, Gregory and Riley Smith.
Betty and Larry were so loved and they touched so many lives during their lifetime. A service is planned in the spring to spread Betty’s and Larry’s combined ashes.
