WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Patricia “Pat” Lawing, a longtime and cherished resident of Lincolnton, passed away peacefully at Brookridge Community Health Care in Winston-Salem on August 9, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born on September 9, 1933, Pat was the fourth of five children born to Elliotte F. Drum and Alta Davis Drum. Her father founded E.F. Drum Funeral Home and co-founded Drum’s Florist in Lincolnton.

A graduate of Lincolnton High School, Pat married her high school sweetheart, Daniel “Dan” P. Lawing, who practiced medicine in Lincolnton for 35 years before retiring. Before their marriage, Pat earned a BA in Sociology from Catawba College, where she was May Queen and a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. As a young couple, Pat and Dan initially lived in Chapel Hill and Richmond, Va. before returning to Lincolnton to reunite with family and friends, including those at First United Methodist Church, where Pat attended growing up and where she and Dan were married.

Pat will be remembered for her extraordinary gifts of encouragement, hospitality, and service. She made everyone she met feel welcome and cared for, and every space around her more beautiful. In the 1980s, her passion for fine furniture and décor led her to open an antique shop, Lincoln Galleries, in downtown Lincolnton with her longtime friend, Marion Rhyne. She kept cherished pieces from that time, each holding stories of her season of buying and selling beautiful home furnishings in the community she loved.

Throughout her life, Pat held a special place in the hearts of friends at First United Methodist Church of Lincolnton. Driven by her faith and genuine interest in others, she devoted her time, creativity, and leadership to serving others, meeting countless needs with her characteristic sunny disposition.

Pat leaves a rich legacy of love and faith to her three sons: Michael Lawing (LaDonna) of Belmont, Dr. Bill Lawing (Diane) of Winston-Salem; and Danny Lawing (Christi) of Marietta, Ga.. She was also a cherished “Mimi” to seven grandchildren: Callie, Sarah, Nikki, Christopher, Stephanie, Brad, and Ella. She has four great-grandchildren: Eli, James, Nico and Harper.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Dan; brother Melvin Drum of Lincolnton; sisters Edith (Pansy) Pike of Denver and Carolyn Minish of Charlotte.

She is survived by her brother, Shirley D. Drum of Lincolnton.

The Lawing family expresses their deep gratitude for Pat’s devoted caregiver and dear friend, Tammy Leslie, who administered both care and humor over the past four years.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 2-4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Lincolnton in the Fellowship Hall. A private burial at Hollybrook Cemetery will precede the celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 East Main Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092.

Burke Mortuary of Maiden, N.C. is serving the Lawing family.