Mabel Bernice Dawson

Mrs.  Mabel “Bernice” Dawson, 90, of Lillington passed away on May 10, 2019 at Universal Healthcare.  She was born June 15, 1928 in Harnett County to Arthur Lee West and Mamie Beasley West.  On February 2, 1947, she married Luther Paul Dawson of Lillington.  They enjoyed over 40 years together on the Dawson family farm in the Flatwoods community with their three children, Nancy, Kathi and Paul. 

Bernice was known for her love of cooking, sewing, gardening, entertaining, taking care of her family, working in her church and volunteering in the community.  She loved being a grandma to her two grandsons, Dawson and Jonathan.  She was famous for her pecan tarts and black walnut pound cakes that she shared as gifts during the holidays.  She was an excellent seamstress and created beautiful baby quilts.  Family members and friends across the country have been the recipients of the quilts for their children and grandchildren. 

She was a woman of strong faith and was a member of the Lillington Methodist Church.  Despite the many illnesses she experienced in her lifetime, she always fought to get better so that she could care for her family and others. 

She is survived by her children Nancy Guy; Kathi Winslow and Paul Dawson; son-in laws Bill Guy and Mark Winslow and daughter-in law, Laura Dawson; two grandsons, Paul Dawson Winslow and Jonathan Grey Winslow; her special sister-in law, Magdalene West and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her siblings Iva Deans, Madie Allen, Eloise Miller, Marilyn McCorquodale, Rev. Melvin West, Ellis West, Marion West, Rev. Vance West, Rev. Bill West and A.L. (Pete) West.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Lillington United Methodist Church followed by burial in Harnett Memorial Park.  The family will receive visitors on Thursday, May 16 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home and other times at the home of Nancy and Bill Guy. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lillington United Methodist Church: PO Box 506, Lillington NC 27546; Friends of the Harnett County Library: PO Box 1149, Lillington NC 27546; and Community Home Care and Hospice: 1231 N Main St, Lillington, NC 27546.     

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