Esilla Lawley

Esilla Claire “Sugar, ShooShoo” Wright Lawley, 82, of Bluntzer, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 16, 2018. She was born November 19, 1935 and spent most of her life growing up on the family ranch in Bluntzer, Texas. Being from a rural community, she started her education at the two room schoolhouse at Bluntzer before going to St. John Catholic School and graduating from Robstown High School in 1953. After completing secretary school, she became the legal secretary for the Butler Law Firm for over 10 years. She married Charles Lawley in June of 1965 and went on to raise two children, Mary and Neal. Leaving the law firm to become a full time mom, she volunteered at St. John Catholic School and the Nueces County 4-H program to give her and other children a chance at a rewarding childhood. In the late 1970’s, she and Charles opened a flower shop and feed store in Bluntzer. For the next 40 years, she would be the strength that kept the Garden Corner Feed Store going. She enjoyed her customers and usually spent more time visiting with them about their lives than remembering to take their orders. Being a devout Catholic, she attended St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Robstown, and later gave much of her time and effort to the founding of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Calallen. She was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of American Council #2990 at St. Thomas, believing that her time given was always a blessing and not a chore. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee Roy and Isabelle Bluntzer Wright; three siblings, DeDe, Pete and Marcia; and the love of her life, her husband, Charles Lawley, whom she was married to for 44 wonderful years until his death January 19, 2010. Esilla is survived by her children, Mary and Neal; sister, Mary Ann; brother, Mike (Myrna); many nieces, nephews, numerous cousins and friends. She was kind and giving, seeing the best in family and friends, always encouraging everyone to do as much as you were capable of doing. She will be missed tremendously. The Rosary will be recited at 7 P.M. Sunday, May 20, 2018 at Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 A.M. Monday, May 21, 2018 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Rev. Philip Panackal as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in San Patricio, Texas. In lieu of flowers, she would ask that everyone donate to the St. Thomas Bell Tower Building Fund.