Cleda “June” Dawson, 83, daughter of Grover C. and Artie (Felton) Smith, was born on Aug. 30, 1929, in Seminole, Okla. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 15, 2012, at Texas County Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
June married the love of her life James “Verl” Dawson on Dec. 24, 1951, in Mtn. Home, Ark. To this union two children were born. They enjoyed 56 wonderful years together.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Verl; a sister, Mary Lou Cook; her husband, Harold; a brother, Alfred C. Smith; and her brother-in-law, Clay Forbes.
June is survived by her daughter, Ann Long and her husband, Terry; her son, Steve and his wife, Terry, all of Licking; four grandchildren, Ryan Long and his wife, Michelle, Dane Long and his wife, Cindy, Derek Dawson and his, wife, Reta, and Stefanie Dawson; five great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Haley Long, Taylor, Zoey and Jake Dawson. She was anxiously awaiting the birth of another great-grandson, William James Long. She is also survived by her brother, Bob Smith and his wife, Joyce; sisters, Leta Forbes and Sonya Cunningham; sister-in-law, Judy Smith; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
June was a long time faithful member of Central Baptist Church. She taught Sunday school for many years and was currently church treasurer. She loved her church family. She loved to get together with the church ladies to piece quilts for the Baptist Children’s Home or piece and tack quilts for local burn our victims. She was always quick to volunteer for anything that needed to be done. She looked forward to going to McDonald’s for a treat after church on Sunday and Wednesday nights.
After their parents died at an early age she and her older sister Mary Lou raised their younger siblings. Times were tough but they all stuck together and are still a very close-knit family.
June worked at Lilly’s, the ASCS Office and Hiett Title before going to work at Houston Schools. She was secretary to the high school principal for 23 years. She could tell many tales about the excuses the kids used for being absent or tardy. After leaving the school she went to work for Don Troutman as a deputy county clerk. She retired after 16 years in that office, but still continued to be an election judge.
After her retirement she enjoyed tending her flowers, quilting and most of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether it was babysitting, teaching them how to cook and sew or just playing games she was always a shining example of how they should live their lives. She was a member of the Piney River Quilt Guild, Red Hats, the Old Broad’s card group; First Baptist Church XYZ’s and looked forward to a fun game of cards with the ladies on Friday evening. June loved having a good time and her smile could light up a room.
June was a loving, kind and gentle mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and a friend to many. She will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She is now rejoicing in Heaven with Verl and smiling down on all of us.
The family respectfully requests that donations be made to Texas County Hospice of Care or Central Baptist Cemetery, in her honor, in lieu of floral arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
Services were 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at Houston First Baptist Church with the Rev. Ed Hamilton officiating. Pallbearers were Ryan Long, Dane Long, Derek Dawson, David Cunningham, Scott Smith and Donald Cook. Burial was in Central Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
