James Lee Lawston, oldest child of the late Ida Mae Blount Lawston and Kerry Lawston, was born on July 24, 1938, in Marianna, Florida.  He passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, December 31, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

James grew up in Fort Myers, FL where he attended the historic Dunbar High School.  As a young man, he moved to Charlotte where he met and married his wife, Beverly Cotton.  James was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a hardworking man and great provider for his family.  He was a painter by trade and worked more than 20 years for Interstate Painting Company.  He attended Friendship Missionary Baptist Church with his wife.  He loved to travel.  James was a "sharp" dresser, a man of style.  His vibrant smile would light up any room.  He was always there if you needed him and he will be sorely missed by his family.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Beverly Lawston; one daughter, Arletha Lawston; three brothers, Orvie Lawston, Edward Howard, George Berry; and two sisters, Annie Campbell and Sandra Taylor.

Left to cherish precious memories are four children, Bennie Lovett (Leigh) of Danville, NY, Thurman Malone of Fort Myers, FL, Franchetta Fields of Batow, FL and Tia Lawston of Charlotte, NC; and eight grandchildren, Markel Martin, Zykarii Martin, Ta'Morah Lawston, Chelsey Lovett, Alashia Lovett, Equilla Cherry, Sharay Pettis and Jabari Brown.  He also leaves one sister, Betty Taylor (Clinnie) and two brothers, Joe Howard (Ernestine) and Richard Berry, all of Fort Myers, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.