Shirley Gilene Dawson

All the rewards of Heaven showered Shirley Gilene Dawson with welcome as she passed away in the early morning hours of May 22, 2024, after a brief illness. She was born on December 31, 1935 in Hamilton, Alabama to Fred and Ethel Holley McCullough. Gilene graduated from Hamilton High School where she excelled in academics and enjoyed playing clarinet tin the Aggies Marching Band.

After high school, Gilene married Carl Dean Dawson of Guin, Alabama. They began their married life living in an apartment on the Southside of Birmingham, Alabama. In February 1958, they welcomed a daughter, Deborah Ann. Soon after, they took a leap of faith and purchased a home in Edgemoor Estates in a newly developing area of Birmingham off Oxmoor Road. Gilene continued living in this house until her death. The area is now known as West Homewood. In August 1964, they welcomed a son, James Brian. Gilene learned to drive while her children attended Hall – Kent Elementary School. She wanted to be able to shuttle her children to activities and not need to wait for Dean to be home to drive her places. Though she had passed a driving road test and written exam to obtain her license, she found navigating the car in parking lots to be a challenge. A tall power pole in the parking lot behind Sikes Children’s Shoes in downtown Homewood was one such challenge for Gilene. When she misjudged the space while turning the car it became stuck against the pole. A kind gentleman who saw what happened assisted in dislodging the car so Gilene, Deborah and Jim could leave with new shoes and head home to explain the large dent on the drivers’ side to Dean.

Over the years Gilene was an active, and often vocal, member of Oakmont United Methodist Church (now known as Trinity West United Methodist Church). She loved planning, preparing and serving meals for Wednesday night suppers, Men’s Club meetings and during times of support for bereaved families. The Oakmont Kitchen and Fellowship Hall were special to her. Her family and friends are confident that Jesus ushered her straight into Heaven’s kitchen when she strolled through the Pearly Gates. She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Women, developing friendships that are surely continuing now in heaven. In her later years, when health issues limited her activities she remained a dedicated phone tree leader. If something happened and needed to be passed along to other church members, you could count on her to always contact everyone on her list.

When Dean passed away suddenly in November, 1980 Gilene continued to live in their beloved home. She began to work in the State Farm Home Office, first as a receptionist and later in the Agency Administration Department until her retirement. She learned about using computers and enjoyed interacting with insurance agents and their staffs.

Gilene enjoyed traveling to Alabama football games with her son and friends. She and her son found a love for the Tennessee Mountains. When traveling became difficult for her, she and Jim continued to enjoy Tannehill Trade Days and wandering slowly through antique malls. Though she had not completed college she valued education and was proud to see her daughter receive a Master’s Degree from the University of Montevallo in 1982. She lovingly planned for her daughter’s wedding to Frederic Foushee in April 1983 while the church was undergoing renovation. Unfazed by the chaos, she told Deborah to smile and God was present.

As proud as she was of her own children her heart grew two sizes when her grandson Dawson Lancaster Foushee was born in August 1993. Their mutual love was put to the test when Gilene had a heart attack while Dawson was in second grade. Dawson searched her home for cigarettes, lighters, matches, and ashtrays while he waited for his Grammie to come home from the hospital. When told he could not throw them away because they belonged to Grammie, he put the large bag aside. When she walked into the house, he handed the bag to her and told her he didn’t want her to smoke anymore because he loved her and didn’t want her to die. So she did something she had never been able to do….she quit smoking! Over the years, when able, she drove to Georgia to see her grandson participate in sports, school, and church activities. Although unable to be physically present for Dawson’s college graduation or marriage to Amanda Kindle, she rejoiced in these life events. She never let a friend escape hearing details about Dawson and Amanda and usually had a photo or two to proudly show off. In 2021 her first great grandchild, Jack was born. On the weekend prior to her death, she enjoyed a FaceTime chat with Jack. She was so excited to hear Jack say he is going to be a big brother in September.

Gilene was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her son, Jim Dawson of Homewood; daughter, Deborah Foushee (Fred) of Hoschton, Georgia; grandson Dawson Foushee (Amanda) of Atlanta, Georgia; great grandson, Jack Foushee of Atlanta, Georgia; cousin, Iva Jane Shanahan (Kevin) of Bentonville, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Ann Dawson of Alabaster, Alabama; niece, Cathy Lowery Isbell of Trussville, Alabama; and nephew, Gregory Garrison of San Diego, California.

The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the members of The Trinity United Methodist Church Care Team, who were the hands and feet of Jesus, providing loving support to Gilene during and after the COVID pandemic, at times her family was unable to be with her.

Gilene was buried at Elmwood Cemetery on May 24, 2024 beside her husband, Dean, with family present. A celebration of her life well lived will be planned in the near future. Those wishing to remember and honor Gilene are encouraged to make donations in her memory to the Trinity United Methodist Church Care Team, St. Judes Children’s Research Center, or any charity of their choosing.