Virginia Lee Baughman Lawing
February 16, 2022
CHARLOTTE – Virginia Lee Baughman Lawing, "Dee Dee", 93, of Sharon Towers in Charlotte died Wednesday, February 16, 2022. She was born on November 20, 1928 in Jackson, MS to the late Clifford Glenn Baughman and Caroline Heins Baughman.
Mrs. Lawing received her education in local schools in Jackson, MS; Baltimore, MD; and Charlotte, NC; graduating from Central High School in Charlotte in 1946. She graduated from Women’s College (WC) in Greensboro, NC (now UNCG) in 1950 with a degree in Recreation and Sociology, and returned to Charlotte to work for the City Parks & Recreation Department. She married Bill Lawing in 1951, and after raising their four children, managed DeDe’s Hallmark Shop and then worked as a teacher’s assistant at Matthews Elementary School until her retirement in 1992. She loved being around and working with children, and that was obvious to anyone who ever observed her interacting with them. Her true calling and life’s work was taking care of other people, and showing Christian love to all she met. Virginia delighted in each of her children and grandchildren, and loved and supported them in their many varied endeavors, faithfully and enthusiastically attending their many activities and events when she could, but always prayerfully supporting them.
Mrs. Lawing was a long-time Methodist, and was a charter member of Providence United Methodist Church, which just celebrated its 68th Anniversary. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women (UMW) for 71 years, having joined the Women’s Society of Christian Service when she was only 22 years old. She received the Special Mission Pin from the Providence UMW. Mrs. Lawing also served the church in many different ways, including: Sunday School Teacher, Girl Scout Leader, Stephen Minister, member of the Live Wires senior ministry, Prayer Chain caller, Adult Bible Study, and faithful member of the Chipley Bible Class Sunday School. She also was part of the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) program for 7 years. She was defined by her graciousness, generosity, compassion, strength of character, and faith in Jesus Christ; and lived her life in such a manner as to “make others glad for the day of her birth”.
Mrs. Lawing loved to entertain, and never missed an opportunity to create a warm loving atmosphere in her home (or wherever she happened to be). She was a wonderful cook, who made it look easy, and could always stretch a meal to feed just one more.
Mrs. Lawing was a very patient lady, who always had an encouraging word for everyone she came into contact with. Going out of her way to make others feel welcome was a way of life for her. She was a prolific writer who sent countless beautifully composed and elegantly handwritten notes and letters to family, friends, and those who needed a word to let them know they were being thought about. Mrs. Lawing was a talented artist in many areas that included floral arranging, drawing, needlework, painting, and decorating. She loved to work in the flower beds in her yard, and often created beautiful arrangements that ranged from simple to complex using items from her yard.
Mrs. Lawing had an amazing ability to recall songs from her past that ranged from childhood rhymes to songs she sang as a youth, to songs from Hollywood musicals in the 1930’s through the 1950’s. She loved dancing, especially square dancing. Mrs. Lawing was a good sport who was always interested in learning about new things (as one friend said, “she is curious about everything without being nosy”), and was always willing to expand her comfort zone. In 1955, Mrs. Lawing substituted for the late Betty Feezor on The Betty Feezor TV show on WBTV; in the mid-1960’s she learned how to drive the family’s 35-foot long US Mail bus/motor home conversion and as recently as July 2015, at age 86-1/2, she went on a helicopter tour of Charlotte and loved it.
Mrs. Lawing will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Her smiling countenance brightened many people’s lives. The family wishes to express its appreciation to all of the Sharon Towers staff over her 11 year residency, especially her caregivers in the Azalea West Assisted Living Unit and most recently, the Healthcare Unit. The family would also like to thank the Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region staff for their additional support during her final days. Thank you all for your love and compassionate care.
Mrs. Lawing is survived by her children; Scott Lawing and his wife, Phyllis of Charlotte, NC, Preston Lawing and his wife, Kellie of Winona, MN, Douglas Lawing of Mooresville, NC and Cynthia Salvia of Charlotte, NC; her five grandchildren, Lauren Salvia, Megan Salvia, Christopher Lawing, Fletcher Salvia, and YiJie Lawing. Mrs. Lawing was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Lawing in 2004; her brothers, Glenn Baughman in 2012 and Bill Baughman and his wife, Louise in 2019.
A memorial service to celebrate God and the life well-lived by Virginia Lawing will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 25th, 2022 at Providence United Methodist Church officiated by the Rev. Dr. Bill Jeffries and the Rev. Dr. Randy Harry. The family will receive friends in the church atrium following the service. The service will be livestreamed at: https://boxcast.tv/view/virginia-lawing-memorial-service-267685 for those unable to attend in person.
Memorials may be offered in memory of Mrs. Lawing to Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211 or The Sharon Towers Residents’ Assistance Fund, 5100 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
Comments
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Virginia Lawing was a dear friend of my mother, Nancy Brooks, for many decades. I was saddened to hear of her death. During the last few years of my mother s life, Virginia loved arranging for several of her fellow Central High lady friends to meet for lunch at Sharon Towers. My mother enjoyed seeing these friends who had so much history together- having gone to the same high school and even the same church, Hawthorne Lane Church, when younger. When my mother s health started declining ,Virginia was faithful to call for chats with my mother and would send cards with encouraging words. Once my mother moved to Sharon Towers,Virginia was able to visit as well as continue sending her cards, and would call me to check on her. Her faithfully reaching out in love was greatly appreciated. My mother so enjoyed their friendship for all these many years. I feel blessed to have known Virginia, and to have been able to see her often in the last years of my mother s life. She was a kind, loving, and beautiful lady, both inside and out. . She truly was an encouragement to anyone who met her, always smiling, with Christ s love shining through her. She will be missed. May God grant her sweet family peace and comfort at this sad time.
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I am very sorry to learn of Mrs. Lawing’s passing, but thankful I got to meet her over the last many years. I enjoyed seeing and visiting with her in the Sharon Towers lobby while she enjoyed my father’s piano music. She knew all the songs, and most of the words to sing along. She was always a caring and smiling soul. May God bless your family as you mourn your loss of a wonderful lady. Regards, Robert
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Although I never met Mrs. Lawing, I worked with her son Doug for many, many years.
We often talked about our Mothers and how their faith was such a presence in their everyday lives. To read of all her accomplishments, interests and undertakings throughout her life only reinforced that her way was lead by the Lord.
I know from talking with Doug that the past couple of years had been more of a challenge for her and her family because of the Pandemic, but through it all she maintained her positive and loving spirit.
My love and Prayers go out to her children and family.
May you feel the presence of the Lord in the days to come.
Mary Allen -
Mrs. Lawing is one of my favorite people and her wonderful family is also a reflection of the great woman that she was. She always had a smile on her face and an encouraging word for those around her. If someone was ill she would go out of her way to make a call and send a card to encourage them. The light of Christ shined through her. "Well done good and faithful servant". Best wishes to the Lawing family. I hope our paths will cross again.
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After reading this obituary I am saddened and not knowing her. I am also encouraged encouraged to live a life That would reflect her and the way she lived. You seem to have lived every day to its fullest to His glory. Well done good and faithful servant!
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Regret that I never met her, but know that she raised a good son and great friend in Doug. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. J.D.
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