CLEO P. DAWSON
Cleo P. Dawson, 75, quietly departed this life on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, in the comfort of her earthly home.
Born on March 5, 1943, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Harry Singleton and Katie Hicks-Johnson and the adopted daughter of the late Eugene and Fannie Bowens. Cleo received her formal education in the public schools of Sumter County, attending F.J. Delaine Elementary School and graduating from Ebenezer High School Class of 1963. In 1953, at the age of 10, she accepted Christ as her Savior and joined High Hills Baptist Church. As a lifelong member of High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, she served faithfully on the usher board and sang with choir number two.
On Nov. 1, 1969, Cleo was united in holy matrimony to Timothy Dawson. This union was blessed with three sons. As a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, she remained home until her sons reached school age. Upon entering the work force, she was employed by the former Sumter School District 2, serving on the custodial staff. She retired from the former Oakland Elementary School after 20 years of service with the district.
She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband of 49 years, Timothy Dawson of the home; three sons, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Steven (Donna) Dawson of San Antonio, Texas, Tyrone (Priscilla) Dawson of Lilburn, Georgia, and Derrick Dawson of Charlotte, North Carolina; eight sisters, Thomasina Singleton and Rose Durant, both of Dalzell, Joann Sumpter, Geneva (Chris) Ramos, Mary (Richard) Vaughn, Martha Johnson of Brooklyn, New York, Lorraine (Henry) Reed of Staten Island, New York, and Bernice Johnson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; eight brothers, Harry (Carolla) Singleton and Henry (Louise) Singleton, both of Dalzell, Johnnie Lee Hicks of Harrisburg, Willie (Betty) Hicks of Middletown, Pennsylvania, Eugene Hicks of Atlanta, Joseph (Ginette) Johnson Jr. of Kansas and Larry Johnson of Lexington, Kentucky; one adopted brother, Joe Logan of Harrisburg; one uncle, Joe Lewis Logan; seven grandchildren; a host of additional brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the home, 5865 Catchall Road, Dalzell.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, with the Rev. Donald Amis, pastor, and the Rev. Dr. Shawn J. Singleton, eulogist.
The remains will be placed in the church at noon.
The funeral procession will leave at 12:20 p.m. from the home.
Burial will be at High Hills Missionary Baptist Churchyard cemetery.
These services are a courtesy announcement entrusted to the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.