Mrs. Mary Emma Dawson

Mary Emma Dawson, 87, died peacefully on September 24, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones. Mary Emma’s strong, abiding faith made her passing to be with the Lord a time of sweetness, knowing she is reunited with loved ones. Mary Emma cherished her family, her church family, and friends. She in turn was cherished by them. Her steadfast love and unfailing service will be forever remembered and deeply missed. Mary Emma was born to Eula Jane and Frank Thompson. She grew up in Jackson County on Tupelo Pike Road at the farm her parents owned; she traveled into town to go to Jackson County High School from which she graduated in 1947. She talked a great deal about her life at home having no electricity or running water and her love of her mother, who was a wonderful cook. After marrying Robert Porter Dawson, her one and only love, in 1948, she was excited to move “to town”, Scottsboro. They were married until his death in 1990. Together they had three children, Robert, Deborah and Emma Dean. Together they owned several businesses in Scottsboro including the Scottsboro Shoe Store and Dawson Auto Parts. Mary Emma in 1964 became a hygienist working for Dr. Paul Dawson. When her hands became a problem due to arthritis, she worked for the Ladies’ and Children’ Shop for many years. Her last part of her working life was spent working for the Jackson County Council on Aging. She ran the Meals on Wheels program throughout Jackson County. She gave of herself and her free time to enrich the lives of seniors throughout the county to the extent that she received the Alabama Gerontological Society Individual Award in 1996. She was a lifetime member of Center Point Baptist Church where she served in many leadership positions from Music Director to Pre-School Director. Her energy and enthusiasm made an impact throughout the church she loved her entire life. Mary Emma was most well-known for her cooking. When it comes to kitchens, her kitchen smelled the best!! There was always something wonderful in the oven. Mouths all over the county are watering thinking of her Amish bread, pies, cakes, jams, jellies, pickles . . . most importantly, she delighted in giving of herself in this way. She showed her love by sharing her food. Mary Emma is survived by Robert Dawson, Emma Dean and Steve Beaird, Deborah and Jack Gunter, 8 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2016 at Center Point Baptist Church with Bro. Roger Hobbs and Bro. David Moorman officiating. The body will lie-in-state from 10 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Pinehaven Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2016 at Scottsboro Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie-in-state from 10 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, her sisters, Annie Belle Davis and Ruth Roberts, her brothers, Alvie Thompson and Rufus Thompson, and daughter-in-law, Shirley Dawson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jackson County Senior Center in the memory of Mary Emma Dawson.

Mrs. Mary Emma Dawson

March 4, 1929 - September 24, 2016