Michele Lawton

In Loving Memory of Michele Lanette Lawton

January 16, 1963 - February 16, 2026

Michele Lawton, aged 63, passed away peacefully on February sixteenth in Leola, Pennsylvania. While she was a beloved sister, second mother, auntie, significant other, friend, and a Fashion Diva in her own right. Her greatest legacy, was the selfless love, she poured into her true friends, and family. Most notably, as the sister who stepped up to become a mother. From a young age, Michele was a fearless traveler and avid music lover. Her eye for quality, combined with a natural flare for fashion, gave way for a career in modeling. On her way to New York, for a career launching modeling shoot. She learned of the tragic passing of our mother, Maxine Hodges. Without hesitation, at the age of twenty-five, with a rising career in modeling, she put her own dreams on the back burner to raise her younger brother, Jahmal Hodges. She traded her mid-twenties, glamorous photo shoots, and fashion walkways, for sports practices and parent - teacher conferences. Acting as a mother and a sister.She was the woman who taught me how to tie a tie, drive a car, believe in myself, and stand up for myself. She was my fiercest protector, my loudest cheerleader, and the person who ensured I never felt the weight of what we had lost, because of everything she gave. Michele was a prominent figure in the community, becoming Sergeant of Arms, at a local American Legion. Eleven years later, faced with the tragic and untimely demise of her younger sister Sonya. Michele again didn't hesitate to step in and help raise her nephew Steven, and later building a loving relationship with her niece La'cree. Even though she had no children of her own, she still raised, loved, and grew what family she had. Her brother, nephew, and niece, became her children. Her great nieces and nephews became her grandchildren. Wanting to be closer to her growing family she picked up stake and moved to Pennsylvania, where most of her immediate family resided. It was then that she fell in love with Chef David Beiler. Although he is an accomplished chef, he loved her soul recipes and cooking, such as her baked macaroni & cheese and hot water cornbread. For the pass eighteen plus years, David and Michele, enjoyed watching each other's families grow, and hopping into his 1977 Trans-am, for frequent weekend getaways. To be loved by Michele was having a pillar of strength behind you at all times.Michele is survived by her common law husband David Belier Jr., brother Jahmal Hodges, nephew Steven Blakeley, niece Le'cree Hodges.

Her great nieces and nephews or "grandchildren" are Terrance Jahmal Hodges, Jazmine Hodges, Dominique Rodriguez, Elysse Hodges, Jaelynn Hodges, Mathew Hodges, Alivia Collins, Amara Blakeley, Ava Collins, and Kaden Blakeley.

She was preceded in death by her mother Maxine Hodges and younger sister Sonya Hodges."To the world, she was one person; but to me, she was the world."