Ernest Dawson

Ernest Dawson, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Ernest was born on March 9, 1931 to the late Clifford Dawson and Oma Burns Dawson in Culleoka, Tennessee. Ernest was married to Ruby Mosley for sixty-one years. He attended public schools at Fountain Heights and Mynders. He also attended Columbia Business College from 1954-1956. He retired from Union Carbide after thirty years of employment. Ernest was a very easy going man. He never said “no” to anyone. He was a man of upstanding reputation; no one could ever say a bad word about him. Ernest loved to work on lawn mowers. He loved his wife and family; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his special pride. Ernest was a member of Parkway Baptist Church. Above all, Ernest loved his Lord.

Ernest served in the United States Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve. He served as a 1st cook in the Maury County Headquarters Co. In 1960, the local paper featured a story on Ernest. "As a 1st cook he supervise[d] three cooks in the preparation of meals for the 168-man Headquarte Company. The kitchen personnel serve[d] the company mess on periodic day-long Sunday drills in addition to those when the National Guard [went] on two weeks summer camp." Ernest was qualified as an Expert Marksman and was armed with the M-1, 30 cal. rifle. On numerous occasions he was judged as the "Best Soldier" in the Maury Guard Company. He received that distinction based on the appearance of his uniform, aptitude, and high percentage of drill attendance. Ernest served in the U.S. Army from March 1950 - April 1953. During that time he served mostly with the 18th Engineers in the American Zone of Germany. While there, he drove a truck in a demolition team working with high explosives.

The family will visit with friends on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Parkway Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Roberts officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. Military honors will be provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19.

Ernest is survived by his loving wife Ruby Dawson; children Ricky (Sheila) Dawson, Carol (Jimmy) Wood, and Cindy Morton; grandchildren Brad Dawson, Jason Wood, Michelle Wood, Leah Smith, Chris Dawson, Joey King, Lindsey Kight, and Amy Dawson; great-grandchildren Tyler Duke, Brianna Wood, Britanny King, Serenity Smith, Isaiah Lawrence, Driston Collins, Krislyn Johnson, Kennedy Johnson, Brooklyn Newcomb, Hayden Dawson, Hannah Dawson, Oliver Kight, Brianna Ingram, and Shelby Burton; brother Glenn Dawson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ernest was preceded in death by parents Clifford Dawson and Oma Burns (Dawson); grandchild Mike Morton Jr.; brother James Edward Dawson; and sister Mary Alice Fourtmier.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Brad Dawson, David Dawson, Jason Wood, Chris Dawson, Joey King, Tyler Duke, and Emanuel Kight.

Honorary Pallbearers are the members of Parkway Baptist Church and “Lawn Mower” buddies and the past and present members of Union Carbide.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.williamsfh.com .