Geraldine Dawson

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 18, 2010

NATCHEZ — Services for Geraldine Linch Dawson, 80, of Natchez, who died Friday, March 12, 2010, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor and the Rev. Alfred Camp officiating.

Graveside services will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at 9 a.m., with a rosary from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Geraldine “Gerry” Dawson was born Aug. 29, 1929, in Wheeling, W. Va., the daughter of William “Bill” and Theresa Linch. Gerry attended St. Alphonsus Grade School and was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy High School. After graduation she went to work for the telephone company. While working for the telephone company, she met her soul mate, Art Dawson. They fell in love and were dedicated to one another for the rest of their lives. Her husband of 59 years died just 19 days ago on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010.

Gerry gave birth to eight children and was an excellent mother and friend to everyone with whom she came in contact. She was later employed by Sears and worked there until she retired. Gerry loved long car rides and beautiful sunsets.

She was a devout Catholic and attended mass with her husband daily at St. Mary Basilica. She was also a member of the rosary group. She was a loyal child of God and the best wife and mother anyone could ask for. She was dearly loved by everyone and never met a stranger. She was the kind of person who would do anything for anyone. She volunteered her time teaching special education at Cathedral School and sharing the word of the Lord with those at the Adams County and city correctional systems. She was a volunteer for the Natchez Regional Medical Center Pink Ladies, the Natchez Stewpot and a number of other Natchez charities.

Gerry and Art are together again watching rainbows in heaven. Her children were always proud to call her mom and will love and miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Arthur Dawson; two sons, Tim Dawson and Danny Dawson; her parents; one brother, William Linch; and two sisters, Helen Templin and Madeline Berry.

Survivors include one son, Ronny Dawson and fiancée, Lynda Martin; five daughters, Linda Dawson, Beverly Dawson, Debby Celestino and husband, Joe, Pam Kincke and husband, Ike, and Susan Windham and husband, Jimmy Don; 21 grandchildren, Dawn Maynor, Chad Windham, Tabetha Bratton, Tip Windham, Will Windham, Sharon Dimitry, Melissa Mills, Chris Kincke, Mandy Tootle, Jackie Coiro, Angeleique Garriga, Matthew Kincke, Lucas Kincke, Jefferey Kincke, Nathan Kincke, Tim and Brie Celestino, John, Heather, Matthew and Mark Dawson; 11 great-grandchildren; and godmother to Lynda Martin’s children, Luke, Blake and Mallory Martin.

Pallbearers will be Chris Kincke, Joseph Celestino, Jimmy Don Windham, Tip Windham, Will Windham, Chad Windham, Luke Martin and Blake Martin.

Honorary pallbearers will be Blake Wadsworth, Mike Goldback, Eric Glidden, Bill Holland, Dan Scruggs, Kyle Hazlip, Lucas Kincke, Matthew Kincke and Carl Flowers.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.