Fleta Elvira Drake Lawson, 78, a lifelong resident of the Big Cove community, took her heavenly flight on Wednesday morning, June 4, 2025, while surrounded by her loving family at her residence in Big Cove. Though our hearts may be grieved at her loss, our spirits rejoice in the comfort of knowing that she will be received by her loving Savior, whom she has served since the age of 15.
Known by coworkers in her professional life as “Fleta,” she was known and loved in her community as “Elvira.” She was the daughter of the late Rev. Mitchell & Lizzie Simmons Drake. Her grandfather and father were pastors of the Big Cove Free Holiness Church, where she has been a lifelong member. It was here that she received salvation on September 9, 1962.
Elvira began her career at the age of 18 at Dunnavant’s Department Store in Huntsville, where she spent most of what she earned on shoes. In 1967, she went to work for the US Army Redstone Arsenal Support Activity (RASA), where she spent 26 years before retiring.
On May 31, 1968, Elvira married Lee Arnold Lawson; and the couple enjoyed fifty-three years of marriage before Lee’s passing in 2021. Elvira was a faithful, loving, and supportive wife to Lee all the days of his life. Together, the couple raised two children – Lea Anne and Todd; and as the years rolled by, they welcomed Lea Anne’s husband, Mark, into the family and treated him as one of their own. And then just a few years later, grandchildren came into the picture and Elvira went from wife and mother to the title that made her the proudest – “Grana;” and what a loving and doting Grana she was to both Garrett and Lillee.
Sometime in the late 1980s, Elvira bought out a small pecan business and became the CEO of Lawson Pecans. During her first year, she sold 68 gallons of pecans; however, she worked hard and grew the business, eventually selling more than 2,000 gallons each year to both repeat and new customers.
First Sunday dinners in Big Cove will never be the same again without her famous chicken and dressing. She was very well known for this dish and was always proud to serve it to so many people who not only enjoyed it but expected to see it on the table when they were in Big Cove.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Lea Anne (Mark) Warren, and Todd Alan Lawson; grandchildren, Garrett Lawson Warren and Lillee Mae Warren; sister, Nelda Smith; sister-in-law, Patricia Drake (Aaron) Lambert; a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Aside from her parents and beloved husband, Elvira is preceded in death by her siblings, Virginia (Ted) Fagan, Rev. Oakley (Bobbie) Drake, Juanita (Alton) Osborne, Shelly Drake, and brother-in-law Tommy Smith.
Visitation will be Saturday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Big Cove Holiness Church. Funeral service will begin Sunday at 2:00 pm with Bro. Mark Warren and Bro. Tyler Smith officiating, and Bro. Josh Trotman officiating at the graveside.
Interment will follow at the Green Valley Cemetery with New Hope Funeral Home directing.
