Verna Shawl

Verna Lee Shawl, 79, of Meridian, Texas passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 in Clifton.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 P. M., Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Lawson Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Tater Paschal officiating. Interment was in the Meridian Memorial Cemetery, Hwy. 144, Meridian. Pallbearers were Bill Hamilton, Fred Smith, Dalton Strickland, Ben Facer, Kenneth Strickland, and Taylor Strickland. Honorary pallbearers were Cannon Facer and Aydan Strickland.

Verna was born in Valley Mills, Texas on September 7, 1934 to George Lechler and Viola Moore Lechler. After her school years she married Bill Hamilton and they moved to California in 1956. Verna and Bill had three children, Billy Hamilton, Belinda Hamilton Smith, and Cindy Hamilton Strickland. Verna and Bill enjoyed going to the horse races and frequented Las Vegas together. After Bill passed away, Verna married Jim Shawl. In 1983 the couple became life members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and traveled to all of the contiguous states on their Honda Gold Wing. Verna and Jim also enjoyed having all-night Nintendo parties with their grandkids.

In 1996, Verna moved back to Texas. In 1998, she met W. J. Collins; together they enjoyed many business adventures, ranching, and visits to the local coffee shops, where they loved conversing with friends and socializing, until W. J's death in 2008.

Those that knew Verna probably shared a scratch off or two while having coffee or soda. She always enjoyed a game of Yahtzee or SkipBo. Her most recent gaming activity was Candy Crush, which she had achieved level 104.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, George and Viola Moore Lechler; husband, Bill Hamilton; husband, Jim Shawl; companion, W. J. Collins; and brother, A. G. Lechler.

Survivors include her son, Bill Hamilton Jr. and wife, Bren, of Lakeside Village; her daughters, Belinda Smith and husband, Fred, of Alta Loma, California, and Cindy Strickland and husband, Kenneth, of Meridian, Texas; grandchildren, Lacie Facer and husband, Ben, of Beaumont, California; Taylor Strickland of Midland, Texas; Meredith Strickland of Copperas Cove, Texas; Dalton Strickland of The Colony, Texas; great-grandchildren, Cannon Facer and Aydan Strickland. She was also Granny to Matthew Pegram of Alta Loma, California; sisters, Freddie Griffith and Betty Allen; brother, Doyle Lechler and wife, Terry; sister-in-law, Wilma Lechler; and several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Thoughts and memories may be shared with Mrs. Shawl's family at www.lawsonfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 803 North Main Street, Meridian, Texas

Funeral Service

2:00 - P.M. ,Saturday, February 22, 2014
Lawson Funeral Home Chapel
803 North Main Street Meridian, TX, Bosque 76665