Deaconess Linda Fay Dawson of Stone Mountain, passed away on August 17, 2019.
She was born on Nov. 21, 1947, in Hamilton County, Chattanooga, to the parents of Deacon Robert Dawson, Sr. and Minnie Lou Dawson.
Linda had four siblings, three brothers and one sister. Linda lived in Chattanooga attending grade school and graduating from Howard High School in June 1965.
She attended Tennessee State University for one year, majoring in Mathematics. Afterwards, she returned to Chattanooga and was employed by Southern Bell (now Bell South), as one of the first Black telephone exchange operators. Linda became engaged to Trellis Dawson (no relation) in 1968 and was married on May 16, 1970. In June 1971, starting in Hanau, Germany, Linda began touring with her husband through several countries in Europe and South America. She was accomplishing her dream of traveling the world. During those tours, she was a “Jill of all trades”. She was employed in several positions from telephone exchange operator to clerk at the Post Exchange Services to childcare provider at the Post Nursery Center in Stuttgart, Germany. She also worked at the Military Commissary as a cashier in Mons, Belgium. After being posted at Fort Ritchie, Maryland, her husband retired from the military, having toured seven countries. Linda was a tough, world-wise Army wife and received an award for her service as a military wife; the American Flag was flown in her honor over the United States Capital in Washington, D.C. Linda, her husband and four children moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia in metropolitan Atlanta. Here she began work as a teller for Bank of America. Linda worked for fourteen years at Bank of America, eventually earning the position of Financial Officer before retiring in 2006. All the while, being an amazing mother and wife. Linda accepted Christ into her life at Alton Park Church of Christ in South Chattanooga.
Later in life, her family moved to East Chattanooga and attended East 3rd Street Church of Christ. During military tours with her husband overseas, she visited churches all over Europe which was an enlightening experience. Linda’s church home became Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia in 1992.
Linda was a true servant. She served in several capacities: Ushers Ministry, Pastor’s Aide, the Events Task Force, a volunteer office receptionist and on December 16, 2012, she was ordained as a Deaconess. She served faithfully until her passing. On Saturday evening, August 16, 2019, God called Deaconess Dawson to rest at Emory DeKalb Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.
She leaves to cherish her memories a loving husband of forty-nine years, Trellis James Dawson; four children, Latasha Danee, Appleton, Wisconsin, Trellis James, II, Tucker, Georgia, Latonya Danielle, Stone Mountain, Georgia and Clifford Robert, Roswell, Georgia. Seven grandchildren, three girls and four boys; a sister, Gloria McClendon of Chattanooga, Tennessee; brother Morris Dawson, Stone Mountain, Georgia; mother-in-law, Mrs. Ivy Dawson; four sisters-in-law, Barbara (Howell), Wanda (Daniels), Mary (Lambert) and Jacqueline (Frye), all of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and many loving friends.
Deaconess Dawson was preceded in death by her parents Deacon Robert Dawson Sr. and Minnie Lou Dawson; father-in-law, Clifford Dawson; and brothers, Robert Dawson, Jr. and Napoleon.
Public viewing will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Fairfield Baptist Church, 6133 Redan Road, Lithonia, GA 30058.
Local arrangements include a public viewing from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home.
Interment will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.