Edna Barnes Lawton

Edna Barnes Lawton left this world on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at the age of 91.

She was born in 1931 to parents, J.H. and Edna Barnes in Waycross, Georgia. Edna moved to Hastings, Florida, as a young child where she attended school in Hastings and fell in love with her childhood sweetheart, Jimmy Carl “J.C.” Lawton.  They were married for 48 years. As a young newlywed, she moved to Palatka, where she and J.C. built a small rental business, which Edna managed over 60 years. Edna was a devoted Christian and taught her children the importance of Jesus Christ in their lives.  Edna enjoyed singing and as a young woman, she sang for many special events and once a week would sing on air at a Palatka Radio Station.

Edna had many talents and was very creative and could do most anything she put her mind to. She loved gardening and worked in floral design for Hilty Florist for many years. Edna’s greatest enjoyment was her children. She made sure they never missed a music lesson, piano, 4-H Club or Horseman’s Club. She was a tireless mom, always ensuring she gave the best she could of herself. She never stopped taking care of her children for 91 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, J.H. and Edna Barnes; her husband, J.C. Lawton; a daughter, Susan Renea Lawton; brothers, Clyde Barnes, Clellan Barnes and Dub Barnes; and her sister, Virginia Driggers.    

Edna is survived by daughters, Carla J. Gerbich and Edna Ann Gainey; granddaughters, Ciara Renea Gerbich, Katherine Ann Thompson; great-grandchildren, Dakota Gerbich, Savannah Gerbich, Mikayla Thompson and Marcel Ramos.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, November 18, 2022, at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Bro. Buddy Lynch officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Palatka.  The family will receive friends Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of services at 2 p.m.

Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Edna’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.