Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Eads. Burial will follow in the Eads Cemetery.


A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 31, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, CO.


Memorial contributions can be made to the National Alzheimers Association. Mrs. Dawson died in Colorado Springs, CO.


Jredia Allene Dawson was born on September 26, 1928 in Drew, Mississippi, the daughter of James Samuel and Evie Bell Kelly Hanson. When Jredia was just a child, her father began calling her Tootie and the nickname stuck. For the remainder of her life, her friends really only knew her as Tootie. Tootie attended the Cleveland, Mississippi schools graduating in 1956. One of her favorite memories of her school years was having been coached in basketball by Margaret Wade. Wade went on to be known as the womens basketball coach for whom the Wade Trophy is named after. The Wade trophy is the equivalent of the Heisman in Womens basketball.

After graduating high school, Tootie moved to Memphis, TN where she was working at a local drug store and living at the WYWCA. This is where she would meet her lifelong husband and partner for life, William France Dawson. Bill was a sailor in the United States Navy, stationed in Memphis at the time. They were married on July 24, 1959. Shortly after being married they moved to Monterey, CA and their first child William H. Dawson was born on August 22, 1960. Bill separated from the Navy in 1961 and their family moved back to Brandon, Colorado. Bill took a job for F.L. Pyles at the First National Bank in Eads. Tootie held various jobs in the community. She worked as a respiratory therapist at the hospital, Kiowa Drug and later began driving a school bus.

On November 1, 1961, their second child, Cindy was born. Their family would now be complete. In 1965 they bought the Levi Rutledge ranch. This would be their home for 45 years. During their time in Kiowa County, Bill and Tootie were very active in their church, the Eads First Baptist Church. In the late 1980s, Tootie decided she wanted to be a school teacher. She went back to college, earned her teaching certificate, graduating from Lamar Community College. She spent several years substituting at Eads, Plainview and Lamar. Tootie loved to teach, and her students loved her.

In 2001 they sold their ranch and retired in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During her years in Colorado Springs, Tootie became active in her church, the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Tootie had also made a new friend whom became very special to her, Donna Berry. Bill and Tootie enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.

Tootie went to be with her Lord on May 26, 2013. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, William F. Dawson, her children: William H. Dawson and Cindy (John Mark) Eden, 4 grandchildren: Brittany, Joseph, Matthew and Alisse Eden. She is also survived by her sister Betty Thomas 2 brother: Marion L. Hanson and Wayne (Ann) Hanson as well as by her mother-in-law, Ruth Dawson of Eads. Tootie also leaves behind 3 sister-in-laws: Mary Lou (Art) Waitman, Lee Jean (Bill) Whitmire and Cathy (Tom) Davis and her very special friend Donna Berry. Tootie was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, 1 sister and 5 step brothers and step sisters. Memorial contributions in Tooties memory can be made to the National Alzheimers Association.