William Ralph Lawson, Jr. – a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and life-long resident of the Hickory Flat community – went to be with the Lord on July 6, 2026. He was 78 years old. A man dedicated to his faith, his family, and his many friends, Ralph used his talents to give back to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, the Hickory Flat community, and Lockheed Martin Marietta, where he was a devoted employee for 34 years.

Both a devout Christian and a history enthusiast, Ralph found the perfect outlet for these twin passions teaching Sunday school at Mt. Zion for many years to a variety of age groups. What began with taking on Royal Ambassadors on Wednesday nights quickly moved to leading a youth boys Sunday school class and then ultimately progressed to facilitating adult classes where he was lovingly nicknamed “Ralph the Baptist” for his extensive knowledge of the Bible and passion for teaching, especially the Old Testament. Attendees of Ralph’s Sunday school class knew that being prepared was essential, as he relied on the Socratic method of question and answer to drive his lessons, and that he would always provide a detailed historic context for each lesson in order to deepen their understanding of the Bible and its truths.

 In his later years when neuropathy limited his mobility, Ralph – with the tireless devotion of his loving wife Linda – hardly ever missed a Sunday school class and spent the majority of his time during the week sitting at his desk in the den with his trusty books, red pens, and highlighters, preparing his Sunday school lessons.

In addition to his career as a Sunday school teacher, Ralph was also well known in Cherokee County and the Atlanta area as a wedding photographer. In fact, many of you reading this obituary may have had your wedding pictures taken by Lawson Photography. Ralph began his photography career in the late 1960s and continued taking wedding pictures into the early 2000s, sometimes shooting two or even three weddings per weekend during peak seasons from Ball Ground to Buckhead and beyond. Not only did he enjoy capturing that perfect picture and seeing the happy looks on families’ faces when they first perused their wedding albums, but he also loved interacting with people and making them relax and smile on one of the most stressful days of their lives. In addition to taking wedding pictures, Ralph was also a fixture at Sequoyah High School, where his son Drew attended, documenting both drama productions and sporting events on film.

Ralph and Linda had recently celebrated their 56th anniversary before his passing. They began dating during their senior year at Cherokee High School, and Ralph used to always joke that while he worked a part-time job at the Burger Chief, Linda and her friends would cruise the parking lot in her Mustang while she yelled “Date me! Date me!” to the supposedly sweet and innocent young man flipping burgers inside. After high school, Ralph went on to graduate from Reinhardt College with an associate’s degree and then LaGrange College with a bachelor’s degree in history before serving a brief stint in the Air Force. He and Linda married in 1970 and moved to Atlanta where he began working for Western Electric. Ralph and Linda then moved back to Cherokee County to live in the house Ralph’s grandfather, Lloyd, built in Hickory Flat, and they would never move again. In 1976, their son Drew was born, and in 1978, Ralph opened his photography studio in Woodstock. Then in 1980, Ralph began what would become a 34-year career at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, where he worked on both the C-5 Galaxy and the C-130 Hercules and advanced to Inspection, ultimately retiring in 2014.

Despite always being busy with church, photography, and work, Ralph was a wonderful father and husband who always put his family first. Whether it was grilling hotdogs at an elementary school Fall Festival; spending fun “bachelor days” going out to eat and visiting toy stores with Drew when he was little; going on vacations to Daytona Beach and Gatlinburg; inviting the Mt. Zion youth group, friends, and family up to the pool for so many swim parties; or attending countless basketball games, plays, and rock concerts for Drew (always with his trusty camera in hand), Ralph had boundless energy and wanted to be a part of everything. And then when his beloved granddaughter Avery (or, as he called her, Itsy-Bitsy) came along, he enthusiastically embraced the title of Pop Pop and was ready to go once again – but now primarily to violin recitals, chorus concerts, musicals, and any other event where he could show his love and support. 

Over his last few months, he was so proud that Avery was accepted to UGA, where she will be a freshman in the fall, and he loved the “UGA Grandpa” sweatshirt that we gave him on Father’s Day. Ralph Lawson was a good man who treasured his family, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and the Hickory Flat community. He loved to tell stories about the good ol’ days, invite people over to swim and grill, sing and listen to gospel music, and to laugh. He loved the Lord, and until his dying day, he continued to study His word so that he could be a better Sunday school teacher. He will be missed by many, but we are comforted to know that Ralph is now in the presence of his Savior hearing Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21).

Ralph is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda Lawson; his son, Drew Lawson (Savannah); his granddaughter, Avery Lawson; his sisters, Karen Hames (Carl) and Kathy Boyle (Billy); and his brother, Terry Lawson (Brenda), along with many nephews, cousins, and friends. 

A Celebration of Life service for Ralph will be held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Saturday, August 1, 2026. There will be visitation from 10:00-11:00, and the service will be at 11:00. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to a local food bank.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William Ralph Lawson, Jr.