Rachel Tanner Dawson

She was born June 10, 1925, in Gladys, Virginia, the daughter of the late William Thomas and Lizzie Smith Tanner. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Kenneth Royal Dawson, and four children: William Dawson of Pinehurst, NC; Shirley Falwell and her husband David of Lynchburg; Susan Whittington and her husband Tom of Palm City, Florida; Sammy Dawson and his wife Lisa of Rustburg; and daughter-in-law Janice Dawson of Rustburg. She was a loving and active grandmother to nine grandchildren: Dina Blackstock, Chris Dawson and wife Lisa, Kevin Dawson and wife Stacy and Joey Dawson and wife Marcie, all of Rustburg; Craig Falwell and wife Sally of Dallas, TX; Jordan Taylor and husband Ian of Port St. Lucie, Florida and Kennerly McVeigh of Tampa, Florida; Greg Dawson and wife Brittany and Ben Dawson of Rustburg; and 6 great grandchildren: Crawford, Ally and Sawyer Dawson, Evey Falwell, Farrah Taylor and Brack Blackstock. She is also survived by five siblings: Lester Tanner and wife Jean, Louis Tanner and wife Trish, Barbara Farmer, Alice Bailey and husband Morris, and Marie Hodge and husband George, and a number of nieces and nephews, many who considered her a second mother including her devoted niece Beth Hendricks.

She was preceded in death by a son, Alfred Kenneth Dawson; brothers Robert, David, Thomas, Paul, Pete and Otis Tanner; and sisters Christine Jordan, Liz Tucker, Eunice Bailey, Catherine Younger, Anna Coleman, and Pauline Tanner.

Rachel was a lifelong member of Diamond Hill Presbyterian Church, where she was a member of the choir, Presbyterian Women, and served as Communion Steward for more than 50 years. She was a lifelong Bible teacher, both in church and in the world. The core of her being was her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and she began every day in the Word of God and prayer. She lived out her unshakable faith in the words of Jesus who said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” She touched countless lives by her love and example.

Many natives of Campbell County have been fed at Rachel’s table, whether it was breakfast at 5 am before a fishing tournament or Sunday supper for family members and their guests. No one was a stranger to her and she joyfully extended her gifts of hospitality and service to others. She loved to work in her vegetable garden, and generously shared the bounty of her labor. She sewed cheerleading outfits and fed many sports teams for Rustburg High School. She was a lifelong Virginia Tech fan and never missed a Miami Dolphins or Atlanta Braves game on television. She created a lively home filled with love, and her children's friends frequently dropped by for a visit long after her children were grown and gone.

The family would like to thank the staff of Towne Square at The Summit for their faithful, loving and compassionate care. As hard as it was to see a once strong, independent woman like Rachel confined to a wheelchair with speech and hearing difficulties, she was blessed with hugs, kisses and many acts of love from her caregivers. The Dawson family and friends will always be indebted to them for their service, especially as she neared the end of her life on earth.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at Diamond Hill Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Susie Atkinson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Diamond Hill Presbyterian Church, c/o Al Hankla, 5087 Red House Road, Rustburg, VA 24588, or The Presbyterian Home, 150 Linden Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503.