Russell Leroy Dawson

Russell Leroy Dawson, 77 of Beckley, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Bowers Hospice House. He is the eldest child of Samuel and Bernice Dawson. Born September 2, 1938 in Saxtonburg, PA. He was a faithful member of Beckley First Church of the Nazarene. He served as Board Member, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, choir member, Bible Quiz Director, Usher and Greeter. He served in the U.S. Air Force from March 1957-Agust 1960, where he received the Good Conduct Medal. Upon his Honorable Discharge, he continued his service to the community in the U.S. Postal Service which he retired. In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce. Those left to cherish his memory include his mother, Bernice; brothers, Lester and Louis; sisters, Nancy Richards and Lucy Cogley (Larry); wife, Maria Carole Vandall; sons, David and Jim (Beth); grandsons, Micah Dawson and Joshua Dawson; step-sons, Douglas Vandall (Billie Joe), John Vandall, and Matthew Vandall (Krista); step-grandchildren, Luke Vandall (Shannon), Maria Losey, Bethany Fernatt (DJ), Courtney Vandall, Tyler Vandall and Ryan Vandall; step-great grandchildren, Skylar Losey, Shaylynn Losey, Xavier Fernatt and Tyler J. Vandall. Friends may gather with the family Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 12-1pm at Blue Ridge Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held 1pm, Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the funeral home with Rev. Richard Wagner officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you send donations in his memory to Hospice of Southern WV, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV or Rosenbaum Family House, Po Box 8228, Morgantown, WV 26506 (Make Checks payable to: WVUF/Rosenbaum Family House). Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, has the honor of serving the Dawson family.