Thelma Elizabeth Dawson

Thelma Elizabeth Dawson passed away peacefully on October 11, 2013. The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Ga. and a graveside memorial will be held in the Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus, Ga. at 12:00 noon. Thelma was born in Morgantown, W.V. on July 3, 1917, and she was a graduate of West Virginia University in 1941. She lived in Columbus, Ga. from 1955 until 2005 and was a member of Wynnton United Methodist Church for 50 years. Thelma was married to Jim Dawson for 44 years until his death in 1985. She was also preceded in death by her parents Ollie and Blanche Scott and her sister Kathleen “Tat” Everly. Thelma will be greatly missed by her two sons, James Dawson and wife Diane of Newnan, Ga., Dan Dawson and wife Penelope of Troy, Al. and her daughter Jeanie Dawson and Thelma’s devoted friend Janna McKinney of Suwanee, Ga. She has five grandchildren, Douglas and wife Diane Dawson of Ca., Caleb and wife Elizabeth Dawson of Al., Ben Dawson and wife Vivian Chen of Ca., Katie Cohen and husband Spencer of Ga., and Jimmy Dawson of Ga. Thelma’s four great-grandchildren are Josephine and David Dawson of Al. and Lilly and Iris Dawson of Ca. In 1997 Thelma married Blaker Herod, and they lived eight years in Columbus before they moved to Duluth, Ga. Blaker died in 2008. Thelma taught synchronized swimming and dance at Kansas State University, and when her family moved ot Columbus, she became a teacher and librarian for 10 years with Muscogee County School District. Thelma enjoyed many years of scouting starting in Morgantown, and continued as a Girl Scout leader during her years in Columbus. She was a passionate nature lover and enjoyed outdoor activities including camping, hiking, bird watching, and raising butterflies and silkworms. Thelma loved the beauty of nature and the moon was on the top of that list. She belonged to the Audobon Society and other nature related groups. Her love of dance, live theatre, and big band music continued throughout her 96 years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090; Valley Rescue Mission, 2903 2nd Ave, Columbus, GA 31904; Wynnton United Methodist Church, 2412 Wynnton Rd, Columbus, GA 31907; or the Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.