Willie B. Dawson, Sr.

Willie B. Dawson, Sr. was born to Leon Dawson and Eliza Drain October 15, 1948.  At eight years old, he was baptized into Christ by the late Elder Thomas J. Melton of Greater First Apostolic Temple of Clarksdale, MS. 

Willie attended Sandy Bayou Elementary and became a self-taught mechanic who later became a heavy equipment machinery mechanic for Ancona for forty-six years.

In November 1967, he met the woman that God predestined to be his help meet, Shirley Myles. On December 26, 1969 he made her his wife, and to this anointed union God added two sons and two daughters: Willie Jr., Clarksdale, MS; Blake Anthony (Victoria), Vanessa “Cookye” Mitchell; Petra Chythelle Tydus (Cortez).

In 1973, he was employed by his friend Fred Zepponi, whom he worked with until illness caused him to retire.

In 1989, he joined the Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Willie Morganfield. After Reverend Morganfield’s passing, he aligned himself with his childhood friend and brother-in-law, Pastor M. C. Graves, Sr. until God called him home.

Willie was proceeded in death by his father, his mother, one brother, Albert Drain, one sister, Thelma Drain, and one grandson, William Brandon Dawson.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his best friend and confidant, Pastor M. C. Graves Sr., three brothers, James Drain (Mary) of Clarksdale, MS; Frank Drain of Detroit, MI; Milton Drain of Atlanta, GA; one sister Cathy Alexander (John) of Atlanta, GA; sixteen grandchildren Ciera, Kelli, Henry Mitchell, Jr., Joseph, Viendra, Whitney, Jaimee, Vaniccia, Blake II, Richard, Zephaniah, Michelle, Elijah, Normellya L. Bailey, Rochelle Thomas, and Rosetta Strong; seven great-grandchildren, Kailey, Kelton, Kolby, Cadence, Tre, Paislee, and Hailey, and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.

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