Agnes Lawson Morar left this earth for heaven’s joys on November 22, 2025. She was born August 11, 1935 in Starke, Florida to Henry Alton Lawson and Ada Eugenia Register Lawson.

Agnes grew up in Starke, where she was the star of the Bradford High School basketball team. She graduated from Florida State University in 1958 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Art. Her parents drove her to Tallahassee September 1954, knowing she would be homesick. They realized if she enrolled at the University of Florida, she’d walk home, so FSU was the best choice. As a freshman, she had the good providence of being assigned to room with Sibil Morar (now Donaldson) of Panama City. Sibil talked often of her older brother, Bill, also an FSU student. Bill and Agnes’ first date was January 3, 1955, and two weeks later they decided to get married.

She spent her entire career teaching 5th grade at Southport Elementary. She lovingly taught almost 1,000 5th graders during her career. She was rumored by some to be “the meanest teacher at Southport,” until those students were in her class – she then became their favorite teacher. Her students loved her deeply for her commitment to seeing them overcome life obstacles, do more than they could imagine, and soar. An accomplished artist, she loved taking her students outdoors to study and draw nature. She also delighted in taking on all comers on the basketball court, and soundly beating them in games of HORSE. Her dearest friends were her fellow Southport teachers and staff: Linda Tiller, Sharon Whitaker, Jean Livings, Raymond Jennings, Helen Cook, Josephine Ellis, James Marshall, Gail Stuckey, Peggy Riley, Elise Moore, Edna Gainer, Hubert Hurley, Ted Cooper, and Jerry Register.

Agnes loved nature and the outdoors, and shared this wonder with her children, grandchildren, and students. She loved walks through the woods at night, and hunting for arrowheads and Indian pottery at Red Cloud. She was an avid fisherman, an outstanding marksman and turkey caller, and loved all things on the water….scalloping in St. Joe Bay (Red Holland crowned her “Scallop Queen”), crabbing, fishing, and camping in the Sand Hills. However, this love did not extend to the kitchen, though she was an exceptional cook and blessed many with her skills. It was her worst-kept secret that there was always a stash of Hershey Nuggets tucked away in an old empty oatmeal canister in her pantry.

She was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Panama City. She loved serving her church family, and was always more comfortable serving in the background. She kept a sharp eye out for the newcomers, and welcomed them with open arms and warm conversation. Even into her 80’s, she loved to pick up and drive the “old ladies” to church on Wednesday nights.

She was predeceased by her parents and her four beloved siblings: Elizabeth Lawson, Charles Lawson, Julia Lawson Jordan, and James Lawson. She was also predeceased by her nephews, Joe Henry Jordan and David Donaldson, her niece, Lynne Jordan Buchanan, her great-niece, Victoria Horvath, and her great-great-niece, Callie Jordan.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, William M. Morar, Jr. and three children: William Morar of Panama City, Adrea Morar Thomas (Kellett) of Lexington, VA, and Katie Morar Bryant (Daniel) of Weddington, NC. She is also survived by four grandsons: William Thomas (Mary Elizabeth) of Holly Ridge, NC; Jonathan Thomas of Atlanta, GA; Hudson Thomas of Sugar Hill, GA; and Lawson Thomas of Kailua, HI. She was the proud great-grandmother of Wyatt Heeth Thomas and Ella Kathleen Thomas of Holly Ridge, NC. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Velma Lawson, Sibil Morar Donaldson (Reid) and Peg Morar, brothers-in-law Neal Morar, Jon Morar (Judy), and many adored nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the faithful care and prayers of Rev. Tommy (and Elaine) Carr. We wish to thank Wanda Morris for the loving care she extended to mom while at home. We are also grateful for the compassionate care of the staff at Pruitt Health (Lisa, Dawn, Mary, Heather, Janice, NeNe, Dee, Sharonda, Barbara, Lacy, and Sandy), and Emerald Coast Hospice (Bridget, Ashley, Brittany, and Chaplain Brannon).

If you wish to remember Agnes, please consider First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1878, Panama City, FL 32402, Note-Building Fund, or the overdrawn lunchroom account at your local elementary school.

Visitation will be at Wilson Funeral Home on Friday, November 28 from 4:00-6:00pm. Agnes’ service will be held Saturday, November 29 at 10:00 at Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Carr and Rev. Kellett Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery on 17th Street, Panama City.