Support Joey Lawson's Loved Ones in Their Time of Need

My name is Tina Nohe, and I am Joey Lawson's "Aunt Tina." Lynn Lawson, (Joey's mom) was my sister. She passed away in 1991 of brain cancer.

Although I have not personally dealt with alcohol addiction, several of my family members have, including my father, Joe Cline, and my sweet Joey. Both had liver disease as a result. When that person dies, you grieve for the life that could have been. You grieve for the time you won't get to spend together. You grieve for all the memories you won't get to make.

A person who has an addiction is still the same sweet, gentle, compassionate, tenderhearted soul you know is in there, but they can't seem to get out of the cycle they are in. God loves them just as much as He loves you. Because of the addiction, they sometimes lose a job they love and wanted to keep very badly, because they are too ill to work. They only can make it through the day they woke up to.

Not everyone plans for the future. Joey leaves behind a fiancée who cared for him night and day during the last 8 years and never left his side. She currently works part time and no longer has the social security income from the person she loved and cared for with all her heart. When that person is gone, rent still needs paid, groceries still need bought, Celebrations of Life need funded, as well as many other expenses such as the need to purchase a car, cover unpaid bills, etc. If you would find it in your heart to contribute even a small amount, together they will all add up to cover some of these monthly expenses.

Lastly, I believe with all my heart, Joey was a child of God, and this gives me great comfort and hope to know I will see him again someday. He had accepted Jesus Christ as His Savior, and he is now in Heaven. He sent me a text back in January that said, “I’m just killing time waiting on Jesus to take me home. I know He will when He is ready, but man, I’m ready.” On July 21, 2024, approximately 3 weeks before Joey died, he sent me a Billy Graham message he had been watching on YouTube called, “Hanging Loose-Billy Graham.” He sent me a text that said, "I love me some Billy Graham!!!!" Then on July 22, 2024, he sent me a YouTube song by The Kingsmen Quartet, called "Wish You Were Here." The lyrics to the song are below. I think Joey knew Jesus was almost ready for Him to come home to heaven.

Lyrics

I can just see them

Walking on the shores of heaven

Praising the lord

And watching the tide roll in

Friends that have gone on

Oh, how I miss you so

And somehow I know if you could

That you'd let me know

That you're doing fine

And it doesn't hurt anymore

Things couldn't be better

That heaven is worth waiting for

That you miss me too and til then

You'll be praying for me

And I know if you could

Talk to me now

Then here's what you'd say to me

Wish you were here

It's such a beautiful place

Wish you were here

Nothing but clear sunny days

Well, it never rains

And no one complains

And we haven't seen a tear

We're having a great time

Wish you were here...

I can just see them

Walking on the shores together

They're talking with Jesus

Safe and secure in his love

Friends and loved ones

Walking in heavenly peace

And I know if they could

Talk to me now

Then here's what they'd say to me

Wish you were here

It's such a beautiful place

Wish you were here

Nothing but clear sunny days

Well, it never rains

And no one complains

And we haven't seen a tear

We're having a great time

Wish you were here...

Well, it never rains

And no one complains

And we haven't seen a tear

Oh, we're having a great time

And we wish you were here.