Mr. Gerald "A.C." Lawless

Mr. Gerald A.C. Lawless, age 85 of Stuart, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at Blue Ridge Nursing Center in Stuart. His wife, Mrs. Essie Marie Handy Lawless, age 83 of Stuart, passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at Pioneer Community Hospital in Stuart. Mr. Lawless was born in Patrick County on March 15, 1930 to the late Abe Chap Lawless and Myrtle Alice Foley Lawless. Mrs. Lawless was born in Patrick County on February 8, 1932 to the late Harry Franklin Handy and Lizzie Lucy Hensley Handy. In addition to their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawless were preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Lawless and Jerald Lawless and a son-in-law, Waitman Hylton. Mr. Lawless was also preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine Lovins and Daretha Lawson; and three brothers, Ira, Eugene and Owen Lawless. Mrs. Lawless was also preceded in death by one sister, Bessie Martin and two brothers, Claude and Clyde Pete Handy. They attended Fairystone Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren who affectionately called them PawPaw C and Nanny C. Mr. Lawless loved racing and fishing. Even in the face of adversity, he kept his wonderful sense of humor. Mrs. Lawless loved playing the autoharp and listening to music.

Mr. and Mrs. Lawless are survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Debra and Mike Martin of Stoneville, North Carolina and Brenda Hylton of Stuart; six grandchildren, Bradley Hylton, Cherie Lawless, Kimberly Martin, Robby Hylton, Matthew Lawless and Christina Reed; seven great-grandchildren, Brent Hylton, Chase Hylton, Harlie Hylton, Aaliyah Liles, Alorah Lawless, Luke Martin and Kourtney Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Lawless is also survived by two sisters, Cornelia Lawson of Stuart and Shirley Tatum of Henry; and two brothers, Kenneth Lawless of Bassett and Truman Lawless of Stuart. Mrs. Lawless is also survived by a sister, Beatrice Hughes of Vesta.
Funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Lawless will be held Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Pastors Jim Dunn and Kriss Foley officiating. Burial will follow in Buffalo Ridge Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. The family would like to send a special thank you to the staff of the Blue Ridge Nursing Center and Pioneer Community Hospital along with Dr. Cole and Dr. Kramer and their staff at Patrick County Family Practice for the loving care and compassion that was shown. It will never be forgotten. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com