Rev. Brian Roberts officiated at the services. Burial followed in Sorgho Baptist Church Cemetery in Sorgho.
Mr. Dawson died on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at the Owensboro Medical Health System.
Mr. Dawson was born on March 20, 1938, in Trigg County. He was the son of the late Henry Lewis, Sr., and Bethel Elizabeth Chadwick Dawson.
Mr. Dawson was an independent insurance agent for 41 years; an ordained minister; a member of Sorgho Baptist Church; a Shriner; and a member of F&AM #130 Masonic Lodge, where he was secretary and a past master.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Stewart; and three brothers, Tom Nat Dawson, Henry Lewis Dawson, Jr., and Leroy Dawson.
Survivors include his wife of 47-1/2 years, Violet Norine Dawson; a son, J.D. Dawson, Jr., of Stanley; a daughter, Therese Barnett of Stanley; six grandchildren; eight and a half great-grandchildren; seven foster children; nineteen foster grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Lee Dawson of Herndon, and Homer Dawson of Pembroke; and a sister, Geneva Calhoun of Cadiz.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Johnny Dawson, Sr. Memorial Fund, c/o James H. Davis Funeral Home, 3009 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 43201. Online messages of condolence may be made at www.davisfuneralhome.com.
