Yolonda Christina Lawson was born in Quincy, Florida on October 10, 1981. She was the daughter of Elijah Lawson, Jr. and Vicky Brown Lawson.

Formative years for Yolonda were spent in her native Quincy where she attended the public schools of Gadsden County. Her parents relocated to Tallahassee where she attended Nims Middle School and Rickards High School.

Yolonda entered the workforce early in life. For several years, she worked as a housekeeper for Comfort Suites Hotel on Apalachee Parkway. During her leisure, Yolonda enjoyed all types of sports, especially televised basketball and football. She was a die-hard Florida Gator fan.

Yolonda was a devout Christian and worshipped with her family at Maranatha Seven-Day Adventist Church, Tallahassee. In recent months, she faced a major health challenge and on Sunday, November 22, 2020, God Almighty summoned Sister Yolonda Christina Lawson Home for her eternal rest.

Yolonda's love and legacy will be treasured forever by her two sons: Alander Upshaw, Jr. and Anthony J. Lawson; three daughters: LaTrinnedy Upshaw, Aijahlon Farmer, Saniya Janay Lawson, all of Tallahassee, FL; parents: Elijah Lawson, Jr., Evansville, IN and Vicky Brown Lawson of Tallahassee, FL; brothers: Elijah (Bonnie) Lawson III, Tallahassee, FL and Timothy James Harvey of Havana, FL; sisters: Felicia Coleman, Angela Lawson, Stephanie Lawson and Angel Lawson; all of Tallahassee, FL; grandparent: Betty Lawson; aunts: Mary Brown, Patricia Simpson, Charlotte (Terrence) Emmanuel and Yvette (Michael) Proctor, all of Tallahassee, FL and Loretta Brown of Kingston, GA; uncles: Jonathan (Stephanie) Brown, Jacksonville, FL, Bruce Lawson, Tallahassee, FL, Peter Lawson, San Antonio, TX, Phillip (Kawanna) Lawson, Orlando, FL, Timothy Lawson of Baltimore, MD; and a host of loving relatives and friends.