Edna Marie (Chambers) Dawson

On February 11, 2022, our beloved Deaconess Edna Chambers Dawson departed this life peacefully at her home in Arvonia, VA. She was surrounded by her loving and devoted family after a long battle with cancer. Edna was born July 25, 1949, to the late John Willard and Edith Marie Chambers.

 She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Charles “Chuck” Dawson of twenty five years: daughter, Tammy Dawson Megginson; great grandson, Messiah Rodney Vaughan; four brothers, James, Joseph, Floyd and Alvin Chambers; one brother-in-law, Dwight P. Dawson.

Edna received her education from the Buckingham County public school system. She graduated from Carter G. Woodson high school in 1968. Edna accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Spreading Oak Baptist Church where she had multiple roles inside and outside the church. Her most well known role in the church was that of an usher. She was president of the usher board for many years. There were not many anniversaries, funerals, or church services where she would not be found ushering. She performed this role with honor and dignity. Edna’s life was centered around Psalms 84:10, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of the wickedness.”

Edna was employed by the Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company in Scottsville, VA for many years until their doors closed. Edna served as a member of the prestigious Eastern Star Lodge for many years. She also served as a poll worker for many years, and she thoroughly enjoyed it although it called for her to get up in the early hours of the morning and returning home late. Another one of Edna’s greatest achievements
was becoming an ordained deaconess. She remained active in all of these roles until
her health failed.

Edna was the first of eleven siblings. She often took the role of many motherly duties. Edna loved to cook. Some of her signature dishes were sweet potato pie, potato salad, and hot pinto beans. And yes, everything was homemade. You could taste the love in every bite. Edna found extreme happiness and joy in working outside in the yard growing her beautiful flowers and assorted plants. She used to
always say, “Let me smell my flowers while I’m living.” She did exactly that with a huge smile. Edna had a huge heart with the spirit of helping others. It was her love for Christ that made her this way. She loved hard. She was a fighter and fought to the very end until God said, “ Well done, my true and faithful servant. Come home, sit back and rest a little while.”

Edna leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Vernest Vaughan (Rodney), Audrey Allen of Arvonia,VA; one son, Tito J. Dawson of Rustburg, VA; six granddaughters, Jasmine Allen of Arvonia, VA, Bianca Vaughan of Farmville, VA, Tariya and Tanija Dawson of Rustburg, VA, Terrell Dawson of Concord, VA, Tia Megginson of Amherst, VA; three grandsons, Desmond Vaughan of Arvonia, VA, Gregory Allen of Jacksonville, NC, TaBari Dawson of Lynchburg,VA; one great granddaughter, Aubree Vaughan of Farmville, VA; three sisters, Carol Harris (Wiley) and Ellasteen Johnson of Arvonia, VA, Meshell Johnson (Willie) of Scottsville, VA; three brothers, Wayne and Antonio Chambers of Arvonia, VA, Daniel Chambers (special friend, Annette) of Scottsville, VA; two sisters-in-law, Mary Jones Chambers of New Canton, VA, Lindale Dawson of Gladstone, VA; eight aunts, Addie Clark, Gertrude Johnson, Winnie Wittingham, Barbara Stanton, Lois Stanton, Rachel Herndon (Kenneth), Daisy Hayden, Elizabeth Ayers; one uncle, Percy Ayers (Annie); four special goddaughters, Torri Ayers, Cristella Ann Cooke Cain, Sherika Cooke, Ruth “Baby Ruth” Glover of Buckingham, VA; a special cousin Yvonne Clark of Baltimore, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Those who desire to pay their respects may do so on Friday, February 18th, 2022, from 10:00AM to 6:00PM at Thacker Brothers Funeral Home in Scottsville, Virginia.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, February 19th, 2022, at 2:00PM at Spreading Oak Baptist Church in Arvonia, Virginia. The family will receive friends one hour Prior to the service.

Thacker Brothers Funeral Home will be handling arrangements.

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