Ola "Ressie" Marie (Lyons) Dawson

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Dawson will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED!!!

[ There will be NO Public Viewing ]

Ola Marie Lyons Dawson peacefully transitioned from earth to eternity on Thursday, June 13, 2024.  She was born on March 17, 1936 in Durham, NC.  Ola, affectionately called “Ressie” was the 12th of 15 children born to Collis and Jessie Lyons.  Ola was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Dawson in 1992.

Before the pandemic, Ola was a very active member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.  Ola was a bible scholar and was known to read her bible daily.  She served as a President of the Pastor’s Aide, Floral Club member and a lead vocalist to the Celestial Choir and other choirs for the church.  During her younger years, Ola was active with the Household of Ruth Lodge with her mother Jessie Lyons.

After retiring from Durham Regional hospital where she mainly worked in the newborn nursery division, Ressie took classes and became a preschool teacher at Chester Brook Academy.  Growing up as one of the “quiet” Lyons sisters, this was a special “calling” for Ressie where she taught her students the alphabet and the entire curriculum with a great passion.  She would prepare her lesson plans with rigor along with that needed attention. Ressie, herself an avid  reader, made sure there were ample reading materials in the home for her own children to excel in their studies.

She was a devoted mother to these five children: David King (Ola), Stephanie King-Beatty, Jerilyn King-Huff (Maurice), Dreddrick King (Ann) and Awanya Dawson McCullers (Gary).  Her last request was fulfilled that all of her children would be with her until the end of her journey.

Left to cherish so many precious memories along with her children are eleven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; sisters, Arnetta Jackson, Florentine Carter (Neal) and Grace Smith (LaGrant); and a sister-in-law, Sallie Dawson Anthony. Ola also had a host of nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. 

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