Bernice Lawson

Bernice Lawson
Longtime Oak Ridger.
Bernice Marilyn Lawson, 92, died peacefully on September 7, 2015 at her granddaughter's home in Dallas, GA. Bernice was born in December 1922 in Bridgeport, CT, and was the daughter of Jack and Rose Kahn. Bernice attended New Haven Teachers College in New Haven, CT. Her education was temporarily interrupted during the depression when she passed the Civil Service Exam and her parents insisted that she take the offered job as a librarian. She was able to resume her education after working for a year and saving all of her money so she could return to school earning a Bachelor's degree in Social Work.
She married the love of her life, George Lawson in 1948 and they were married for over 50 years. They moved to Oak Ridge, TN in 1949 and were members of the Oak Ridge Jewish Community for over 50 years and were active members. She worked as a Social Worker in New York and Knoxville after they were married, and before her children, Jack and Susan, came along. When the children started school, she started volunteering in the early Oak Ridge Schools French program and was eventually offered a Job teaching French in the Oak Ridge Schools. She returned to School at UT and received her teaching degree and went on to teach French at Robertsville Junior High School for 20 years where she retired in 1982. She loved her profession and thrived on creative methods to stimulate her students to learn.
Bernice and George traveled to over 20 countries where they enjoyed interacting with the locals and learning about their customs and perspectives. She thoroughly enjoyed reading, watercolor painting, traveling, being a sous chef to her baker husband, George, and spending time with family and friends.
Bernice is survived by her children, Jack and Susan; three grand-children; and 5 great-grandchildren with a 6th on the way.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 9th at Martin Funeral Home followed by burial at Beth El Cemetery in Oak Ridge, TN.
Contributions may be sent to the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, P.O. Box 5434, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-5434.