Spencer Lawton, Jr.

Spencer Lawton, Jr., of Savannah, Georgia, died at home on November 13, 2024. He was 81 years old. 

Spencer was the eldest son of Sarah Parker Lawton and Spencer Lawton, Sr. After spending his early childhood in Savannah, Spencer moved with the family to Atlanta, where he was raised. Spencer graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Virginia and matriculated to the University of Georgia in 1961. 

His freshman year academic performance prompted his father to invite Spencer to join the armed services, which he did. After serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966, Spencer attended Tulane University, graduating with a degree in political science. He returned to the University of Georgia for law school and graduated in 1971.

Spencer began his law practice at the family firm, Lawton, Sipple, and Chamlee, before leaving to form Lawton and Karpf with the Hon. Michael Karpf. In November 1980, he was elected to the office of Chatham County District Attorney. He believed it was incumbent upon the District Attorney to set the highest possible standard of legal skill, ethics, and professionalism. He served that standard as his guide for 28 years, retiring in December of 2008. 

During his tenure, he created Georgia’s first comprehensive Victim-Witness Assistance program. He also served on the Georgia Supreme Court’s Commission on Racial & Ethnic Bias in the Courts and its Commission on Equality in the Courts. He was named to Governor Barnes’ Commission on Certainty in Sentencing. 

Spencer prized personal integrity above all else, followed closely by his love of Savannah and Chatham County and a deep desire to contribute to its collective life. To that end, he served on the Founding Board of Directors for the Children’s Advocacy Center, CrimeStoppers, and The Mediation Center. He served several terms on the Board of Directors for the Rape Crisis Center (now, Mary’s Place), the Board of Directors of Medbank Foundation, and Center Court, Inc. (nonprofit for accountability in courts). He was also the first chairman of Savannah Onstage (now, Savannah Music Festival), remaining in that role for several years.

He served as President of the District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia and Chairman of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia. He was also named District Attorney of the Year by his colleagues. Spencer was particularly proud to represent Georgia’s Prosecutors in Drafting HB 567 Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, which – for the first time - codified protection for victims in Georgia’s legal system, ensuring the right to be treated fairly and with dignity.

Beyond Georgia’s borders, Spencer served on the Board of Directors of the National Organization for Victim Assistance and of the National District Attorneys’ Association. 

Friends speak of his keen intellect and deep sense of moral imperative, his love of both the written and spoken word, and a wry sense of humor that flowed through everything he did. He is missed, most profoundly.

Spencer is survived by his wife of sixteen years, Ann B. Woolner and his daughter with his first wife, Mignon U. Beranek, Mignon “Sarah” L. Brockenbrough and husband, Will, of Richmond, Virginia. He is also survived by his brother, George W. Lawton and wife, Betty Neel, of Marietta, Georgia; and his sister, Clayton L. Livingston, also of Savannah. As well as nephews John K. Livingston and George W. Lawton, Jr., niece Corinne Livingston, and five grand-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Lorton S. Livingston, Jr, and his niece, Elizabeth C. Lawton McGee.

A memorial service will take place at Christ Church Episcopal, 28 Bull Street, at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, November 22, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations in Spencer’s memory may be made to Christ Church Episcopal or the Savannah Music Festival.