IVA JEAN SOMERS, 85, of Crisfield, died Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home in Crisfield.

Born in Crisfield February 19, 1926, she was a daughter of the late Lester and Annie Fleetwood Lawson.

She was a manager at the former City Loan Company in Crisfield and was a Foster Grandparent for Shore Up at Woodson Elementary School and most recently Crisfield Headstart.

She was a lifelong member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Crisfield where she was active in the UMW and the Deborah Circle. She was Past Present of the former Soroptimist Club, member of the Women's Civic Club, Stanley Cochrane Post #16 American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and Women Supporting Women.

She is survived by her son, Leslie G. Pruitt and wife Jane of Crisfield; three grandchildren, Jeana Jones of Crisfield, Eric Jones of Tullahoma, TN, and Lara Bradshaw of Crisfield; nine great-grandchildren, Jessica Jones, Eric Jones, Jr., David Sterling, Lauren Daniels, Jonathan Daniels, Damian Seals, Gabriel Seals, Addison Jones, and Taylour Jones; and one sister, Stella Rogers of Baltimore, MD.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband's Lorenzo Tawes and Lowndes A. Somers; a daughter, Tamara T. "Tammy" Ward in 2006; two brothers, Grant Lawson and George "DoDo" Lawson; and a grandson, Ricky Ward in 2009.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 2 PM at Bradshaw and Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield where friends may call Tuesday evening from 6-8 PM. The Rev. Linda Mariner will officiate. Interment will be in Asbury Cemetery.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers are requested to be sent to Asbury United Methodist Church, c/o Beth Clough, 28155 Coulbournes Court, Marion, MD 21838 or the Ricky Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund, 310 Myrtle Street, Crisfield, MD 21817.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com.