On April 1, 2022, Teresa Reece Lawder went to be with her Lord and Savior. She passed away in her sleep after struggling with early on set dementia and a weak heart.
Teresa was born on March 11, 1957, in Winchester, Indiana. She was raised by her parents, Lloyd Ivan Reece and Betty Louella Reece in Lynn, Indiana along with her 5 sisters and 2 brothers. She found the Lord at Lynn Friends Church where she was instrumental, along with her friends, in the youth group missions and helped start the high school Randolph Southern High School Bible Club.
She found her way to Houston, Texas in the 1980’s and through her husband, Michael Lawder, found the Trinity Klein Lutheran Church in Klein, Texas. Teresa was baptized by Pastor Kieschnick at Trinity Klein before joining St. Timothy Lutheran Church on November 11, 2007.
T, as we called her, never met a person that she couldn’t or wouldn’t speak with. She made it a point to strike up conversations with people because she truly was interested in them and their story. She was such a giving person and a great listener. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for family, friends or even strangers. Besides her benevolence to those close to her, she would often carry food in her car just to hand to the homeless on the streets. She never wanted to be the center of attention but people were drawn to her.
Family and friends know how much she loved them. They were her reason for being. Random calls, cards or gifts from Teresa were common. Her caring and witty personality made her a joy to be around. She also loved reading, music and games and spending time with her dogs Alex and Cassie.
Our dear Teresa Kay is preceded in death by her mother and father, Betty Lou and Lloyd Ivan Reece, as well as her brother-in-law Kenneth Ray, nephew Larry Ray, and sister’s-in-law Viola Reece and Patti Smith.
She is sorely missed by her devoted and loving family, husband, Michael L. Lawder, loving sisters & brothers; Marita Theodore & husband Donald, Nancy Ray, Beth Reece, Twyla Reece, Jerry Reece, Rebecca Chandler & husband Anthony(Tony), Dennis, step children: Lauren Drosjack & husband, Matt, Michael J. Lawder and wife, Shae and their children Paige and Bree, nieces and nephews: Marty Phillips & wife, Jatinder, Brent Ray and wife, Carlene, Michelle Wright and husband, Doug, Anthony Chandler & wife, Heather, Matthew Chandler & wife, Kathleen, sister-in law Lauri Nicholas & husband, Terry, Lisa Gallaway and husband, Steve, nieces and nephews Zach Smith & wife, Jessica, Jennifer Cornejo & husband, Josh, and Celia(CeCe) Lidiak. She loved her great nieces and nephews with all of her heart; Brandon, Kyla, Henry, Logan, Lindsey, Cory, Reece, Riley, Raelynn, Liam, Harjot and Kaden.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Timothy Lutheran Church at 11:00am on Saturday, April 23. The family invites you to a gathering following the service with refreshments in the Life Center.
There will also be a reception immediately following at Michael and Teresa’s home.
Flowers may be sent to the church or in lieu of flowers donations can be made in Teresa’s honor to Care Net Pregnancy Center: www.HoustonPregnancy.com, or Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
A summer Celebration in Indiana for T will be determined at a later date.