Mary Lily Coleman Dawson

Mary Lily Coleman Dawson, 92, of Lynchburg, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2017. She was the wife of the late William Elmer Dawson. Mary Lily was born May 8, 1924 in Bedford County, a daughter of the late Robert Lee Coleman and Dessie Martin Coleman. She graduated from Mayfair College of Beauty Culture; owning & operating hair salons in Big Island and Coleman Falls. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary; enjoyed estate sales, flowers, collecting dolls; and was a member of Cove United Methodist Church in Coleman Falls. To all who knew her; she was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother and grandmother; as well as a devoted friend to so many.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving and devoted children, Mary Jane Massie of Big Island, Rebecca Mitchen (Kentwood) of Lynch Station, Shelby Burks of Monroe, and Robert Dawson (Donna) of Coleman Falls; sisters, Helen Reynolds of Lynchburg, Barbara Burks (Allen) of Big Island, and Brenda Wiles of Coleman Falls; sister-in-law Mabel Coleman; brothers, Melvin (Norma) Coleman of Jacksonville, Ark., and Gene Coleman (Faye) of Lynchburg; grandchildren: Sophia Leger, Sonya Massie Toms (Ryan), Irvan “Buddy” Jay Daniels, W.H. Burks, J.R. Burks (Spring), Audrey Marlette Chocklett (Stephen Rock), Robert Curtis Dawson, Jr., and Charles Dawson (Valarie); great-grandchildren, Jenee Welsh (Joe), Emily Cox, Cole Burks, Kenzi Burks, Stone Chocklett, Jake Burks and Zeke Chocklett; great-great-grandchildren, Cameron Leidich and Jou’le Welsh; many nieces and nephews; and all of her very close friends. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Edward Allison, David Coleman, Strother Coleman, and Carl Coleman.

A celebration of Mary Lily’s life will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Whitten Funeral Home, 1336 Park Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501, with Pastor Stephen Rock Chocklett and Pastor Jane Whitehead officiating. Family and friends will be received two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Big Island Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association or Cove United Methodist Church at 1082 Walker Road, Coleman Falls, VA 24536

Arrangements under the direction of Whitten Funeral Home/Park Avenue, Lynchburg, VA.