House Resolution 549
By: Representatives Holcomb of the 101st, Oliver of the 84th, Miller of the 62nd, Westbrook
of the 163rd, Roberts of the 52nd, and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Paula Lawton Bevington; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Paula Lawton Bevington on August 4, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Paula Lawton Bevington was born on September 25, 1937, in Cleveland, Ohio,
a beloved daughter of G. Albert Lawton and Mary Patricia Walsh Lawton; and
WHEREAS, she graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame,
Indiana, at the age of 20 and earned her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1961,
followed by additional studies at Middlebury College and the National Autonomous
University of Mexico; and
WHEREAS, following her graduation, Paula Lawton Bevington became the first woman
associate hired by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP, in Atlanta during a time when many
law firms did not hire women; and
WHEREAS, she served the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C., in 1963; conducted
international law research on a Fulbright scholarship at Central University of Venezuela,
Caracas; and traveled throughout South America and around the world; and
WHEREAS, Paula Lawton Bevington joined her husband, E. Milton, at Servidyne
Incorporated from 1980 to 2002, contributing to the company's pioneering efforts in energy
conservation, and later served as Vice President of Development for SciTrek; and
WHEREAS, she was as an active and enthusiastic alumna and volunteer for Lauralton Hall,
St. Mary's, and Yale, and she held leadership roles in numerous civic organizations,
including the Junior League of Atlanta, The Carter Center, and the Atlanta Legal Aid
Society; and
WHEREAS, she further chaired the Georgia Human Relations Commission, served as the
first woman president of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, and led the Justice Center of Atlanta;
and
WHEREAS, she was blessed with eight remarkable children, Milton Jr., Rickey, Peter,
George, Christian, Charles, Justin, and Mary; 12 wonderful grandchildren; and three
magnificent great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Paula Lawton Bevington will long be
remembered for her belief in the collective power of family, friendships, and community to
promote and positively effect social transformation. This quality was at the center of her
leadership, from her teenage years throughout her entire life.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Paula Lawton Bevington
and express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Paula Lawton Bevington.