Dorothy Lawton in the Robe of Achievement, 2011

Dorothy Glee Brannon was born the second of four children , and eldest daughter of a farm family from central Nebraska. Her parents were members of the North Loup SDB church. After graduating from North Loup High School, Dorothy moved to Battle Creek, MI to attend business school. It was there she met her future husband, Leon Lawton. Dorothy and Leon were married in her home church and then moved to Salem, WV where she worked to support them as Leon completed his Bachelor’s Degree. They had four children.

The Lawton’s served as missionaries in Jamaica for a total of eight years. While there Dorothy directed the choir at the Charles Street SDB Church in Kingston, played the piano as needed, and served as treasurer.

When the returned to the States she ‘held down the home’ while Leon traveled extensively for the SDB Missionary Society as the Home Field Evangelist. After two years she moved to Brookfield, NY where Dorothy taught Sabbath School.

After the children graduated from high school, Dorothy filled an opening in the Missionary Society office and served as the secretary to the Executive Vice President for 11 years. She served on the Missionary Board of Managers for 38 years. Upon retirement she enjoyed being a pastors wife again while Leon pastored the Waterford, CT SDB Church.