Frederick Lorenzo Lawson

Frederick Lorenzo Lawson, was born on October 7, 1940, in Bessemer, Alabama to Edna and the late Joseph Lawson. Frederick, affectionately known as Fred and Brother Ali, was educated in the Pittsburgh Public School System and attended Peabody High School where he met a young woman who would later become his bride.

Fred joined the United States Marines immediately after high school. During his service time he was united in marriage to the late Maxine Bell and from that union came seven children who they loved unconditionally. Gary Lawson (deceased), Dennis (Anna) Lawson, Michelle Lawson, Gizelle Townsend all from Pittsburgh, Laverne Lawson of Florida, Khalid (Laura) Lawson of Tennessee and Mohammed Lawson of Arizona.

Upon returning home he worked as the first African American street sweeper operator for the city of Pittsburgh. Along with that he became an entrepreneur of a neighborhood store known as Lawson’s Groceries in the Garfield neighborhood. After about (11) eleven years, Fred started working for Volkswagen and later became the first African American counselor with Allegheny Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine, son, Gary, mother-in-law, Fannie Bell, brother-in-law, Eddie, sisters-in-law, Ernestine and Barbara and grandson, Omar.

He leaves to cherish his memories, (6) six children, mother, Edna Lawson Parker of Michigan, sister-in-law, Lily Denson of Pittsburgh, aunts, Bayinnah Pasha, Thelma Graham and Velma Miller of Michigan, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

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