Edward Cornell Lawson Sr. was born on August 5, 1948, in Bastop, Louisiana to the late Edward Lawson and the late Lula Mae Barnes Lawson. He departed this life on November 17, 2024, to be with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents. He has four surviving sisters, Jacqueline Howell, Rosalind Hodges, Brenda ‘Baby Sister’ Lewis, and Ora Jean Jackson of Monroe, Louisiana. He also has one surviving brother, Michael Muhammad of Monroe, LA. He also leaves behind several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, and a host of other family and friends.

Edward accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in 1959 at Salem #1 Baptist Church in Doss, LA., and he maintained a love for the Lord until he died. His dad served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, fighting in Europe and Africa. After the war, he worked for Louisiana Machinery until he retired. His mother was a domestic worker for several years before illness forced her to retire.

Edward was a manager at Open Pantry Convenient Store for several years. He then went on to work for the City of Cleveland (Division of Parks Maintenance) as a foreman. He retired from the city after an honorable career.

Edward was married in 1967, to Zeola Ercel Taylor of Downsville, LA. They were married in a small ceremony in Downsville, LA. Approximately one week after the nuptials, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio to pursue greater job opportunities. In 1970, Edward and Zeola welcomed a baby boy, Edward C. Lawson Jr., into the world. Edward had two children before he met Zeola. The name of the eldest daughter was Michelle Wilson (deceased), and the other was Tanya Green (deceased) of Monroe, LA. He also had a younger daughter, Amanda Owens of Cleveland, OH, years after his divorce.

Edward lived a full and productive life. He was a very sociable, outgoing person. He was at his happiest when he was laughing and joking in the middle of family and friends. In addition, he was a sports enthusiast who loved all the Cleveland sports teams. He was also a standout Slow-Pitch Softball player who struck fear into the hearts of pitchers he faced. One of his greatest feats was in the A.S.A. tournament, when he hit four home runs in the semi-final game. He earned numerous trophies, awards, and accolades for his stellar play. He was known across the region as Ed “Turtle” Lawson, one of the most legendary figures in Cleveland softball history.

Recently, after a normal evening watching Thursday Night Football with his son, Edward retired upstairs to the bathroom. Soon after, he called out for his son and told him to call 911. When his son came upstairs, Edward was holding and rubbing his head. He complained of an excruciating headache. Edward was actually having a stroke! He was

rushed to the hospital where he remained for ten days. On November 17, 2024, he took his final breath at University Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio.