Pauline Dawson

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

On Saturday October 16, 2021 an angel stepped out of Heaven’s gates and proceeded to this earthly realm to escort a precious soul to her eternal rest. The “precious soul” known as Pauline Dawson was born on February 3, 1940, the twelfth child of 16 born to the late Joseph Dawson, Sr. and Corinthia Rowe Dawson of Fremont, North Carolina.

Having a praying mother, Pauline was reared in a Christian atmosphere. As a youth she attended Turner Swamp Primitive Baptist Church in Eureka, NC. Her formal education was received in North Carolina where she attended and graduated from Friendship High School in 1958. Pauline was such an accomplished and organized bright student that she was selected to teach the last two class periods to third grade students the entire year during her senior year at Friendship while the regular teacher attended other duties.

After graduation she moved to Brooklyn, NY where she worked for several private companies; one in particular was The American Leprosy Mission, Inc. located on Park Avenue, NY from January 1961 to August 1966, afterwards relocating to Washington, DC.

After moving to DC she began attending Mount Zion Baptist Church under the Pastorate of Rev. Dr. John W. Davis and was baptized January 15, 1989. Her Christian fellowship was continually developed and renewed as a member. She has been a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church for 32 years. She loved her church family and enjoyed every moment of each service and program.

Once in Washington Pauline obtained employment with the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management August 1966 and remained until she retired January 1995.

Pauline was available for her entire family anytime they needed her. Bowling was one of her favorite pastimes that she enjoyed with her family. They were on leagues that won patches, pins and trophies. She especially enjoyed the gatherings held at Granny’s on 4th Street. It was a time of excitement with Motown Music as the backdrop whenever you entered the home and attendance at Rowe Family Reunions. Pauline was very family oriented. She loved to travel and did so with her family. The family were sports enthusiast and Pauline was drawn to tennis and football particularly but enjoyed all sports as well as politics. She kept abreast of the news, was an avid newspaper reader and participated with strong opinions on world events and on candidates during election season. Pauline was a fierce independent and never shied away from speaking up to help someone less fortunate than herself.

Pauline never married or had children of her own but she was mother, aunt, grandmother and big sister to so many. She was active in the lives of all her nieces and nephews. Wherever she was she enjoyed people and was at her best socializing and enjoying the love of her family, neighbors and friends. It was abundant and freely given. She meant much to many; she cast her net of love wide. She loved us dearly and always had a soft spot for all things family.

When Pauline’s health started to decline she entered Carroll Manor Nursing Home on September 15, 2017.

On Saturday October 16, 2021, the Lord called home one of His angels and she submitted graciously to His will. Her life is cherished and celebrated by four sisters, Irene Young, Mary A. Rollins, Lillie R. Tyree and Arlethia Dawson; one brother, Jonah & (Bettie) Dawson, nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Pauline’s physical life was time bound, but now her spirit is timeless.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded to Heaven by siblings: Emma Dawson, Alfonso & (Clara) Dawson, Sarah & (Randolph) Braswell, Beulah Mae & (Charles) Tyree, Hattie Rematha & (Cobbie) Paige, Joseph Jr. & (Doris) Dawson, her sweet nieces Eloise & (Sandra F.) Forte, Deirdre Young, Evelyn Dawson and nephews Edward L. Dawson, Joel Dickerson and Nubon A. Ealey, III.