Onthe 25th day of November 1959 a wonderful baby boy was born to thelate Bertis Gray & Mary Burrows in the beautiful settlement of George Town,Exuma. As a young boy, he relocated to Nassau, New Providence. Lawson was thesecond of six children, and he assumed he had authority over them all.
Lawsonwas a devoted, loving, and supportive husband and father. Lawson adored hisfamily. He had been married to his beautiful and loving wife Anastacia for 25years.
Lawson'sexcitement for politics and his Free National Movement (FNM) party matched hiszest for life. Lawson made no apologiesfor his unwavering support of being a proud member of his beloved FNM party. When it came to debating, his mouth alwaysspoke the loudest, and you were never right when he started. He participated inlocal politics volunteering and supporting political campaigns.
Lawsonenjoyed cooking and hosting grill-out parties. His love for football wasinsane. You'd see him dressed smartly in an eye-catching aqua and orangejersey, and everyone knew he was the biggest DOLPHINS fan.
Lawson worked at the ZNS Corporation for manyyears as a cameraman. He was always seenwith that large camera on his big broad shoulder. He enjoyed his job, especiallywhen he had to cover anything pertaining to the FNM. He was obsessed with thenews, particularly the MSNBC news outlet.
Inkeeping with his adventurous nature and love of travel, he visited all over theworld, although he bragged about Exuma, Hawaii, Uganda, and Europe the most.
Lawson’schildren were his pride and joy. He would step in whenever Claude and Nickicalled, regardless of what it was. His love for Azia and Amari was remarkable.He looked after them from the day they were born. He taught them how to tietheir shoes and taught them how to grill. He had a penchant for making pepperedfoods that the kids adored. He washed and pressed all their uniforms whilewatching football games in the bedroom, which was decorated with Miami Dolphinsflags. He made sure they traveled every summer and Christmas and purchased themthe most unique gifts. During a Christmas trip to Denver, Colorado, he boughtAzia and Daria, his niece, 2 huge stuffed pink ponies. The entire family wasleft questioning how these ponies were getting back to Nassau but Lawson founda way.
Lawsonloved going to church. He would go with his mother before she passed to theearly morning Mass at St. George's Anglican Church and then attend Mass withhis family at St. Thomas More Parish. Later in life, he loved going to servicewith his daughter Nicki (deceased) at Church of God South Beach. Lawson and hisappreciation for life and his country will be missed very much.
Lawsonis survived by his wife Anastacia Gray.
Children:Claude, Azia, and Amari Gray
Brothers:Philip Turnquest and John Gray
Sisters:Estelle Hepburn, Elizabeth Mackey, and Ann Woodside
Uncles: JohnRuz Burrows
Aunts:Arabella Turnquest, Shirley Smith, Valerie Gray of Exuma
Grandchildren:Shandera, Garnette, Rayjean, and Anastacia Sweeting, De’Argo McIntosh, andClaudesha Gray
Great Grandchildren: Angel,Tyrone, Trevor, Adrian, Aniyah, Amarie, Ranae, and Randolph
Daughter-in-law: JaniceGray
Brother-in-law:Earlin Hepburn
Sisters-in-laws:Dasial Burrows (Owen), Dorothy Turnquest
Nephews:Zeb Mackey (Dorothy), James Mackey, Lamond (Crystal), Rashad and Logan
Nieces:Shakisha, Shenee Dean (Evan), Shenell Mackey, Paschal
Grandnephews:D’Andre, Charlton, Tristan, Joshua
Grandnieces:Amira, Isabelle, Hailey, Kristina, Lamiya, and Camila
Mother-in law:Bessie Rolle and other in-laws including Ophelia Rolle, Beverley Martin (Karl)Paula Saunders, Patricia Simmons (Michael), Dorothy Roberts, Tamika Bodie,Danielle & Daria Burrows, Shannals Johnson, Mario Rahaming, Dina Rolle
Bodie, Joey & Kara Roberts.
Other family:Dr. Eugene Gray (Gelita), Beryl, Filis, and Preston Gray, Thelma, Joyce,Taryseta, Lula Gray, Nigel, Godfrey, Sheila, Nancy, Ann, Judy, Sedrick Gray,Clinton, Johney and Troy Gray, Vernita Adderley,Beverley Cash, Glendia Cash,Barbara Gray, Charles, Sheron Bethel, Ken, Karen, Olive and Calvin Rolle,KirkBowe, Bridgette Gray, Tanya Miller, Christian Sands, Lora Rolle, HowardLivingston, Linton Gray, Linda, Phyllis, Fellbert, Betty Rolle, Betty Jennings,Dorsett, and Knowles family from Long Island.
Other family and friends including:Sir Orville and Tommy Turnquest, the Hon. Hubert Ingraham, the Hon. HubertMinnis, John and Janet Bostwick, Steve McKinney, Sherman Brown, Arnold Forbesand family, Kenneth Murray, Kenneth Chase, Ricardo Davis, Anthony Foster, TheRetiree Group of ZNS, St. George's Church family, St. Thomas More and St.Cecilia's Church families, Colina Group of Companies, Bridgette Miller,Principal Mrs. Madeline White, students, and staff, and The People’s Pharmacy.
Welove you and miss you Lawson. Rest in peace!
