Celia Reeder Dawson

Celia Mary Reeder Dawson, 107, passed away at Care Haven Center in Martinsburg, WV, on February 28, 2017. Born December 20, 1909, in Houston, TX, she was the daughter of the Rev. Don and Mrs. Cassandra Reeder.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Rice Institute in Houston and a master’s degree from the College of William and Mary. She lived for 61 years at 58 Greenbriar Ave., Hampton, VA. She taught school for nine years at Armstrong Elementary before retiring in 1970.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, John Robert Dawson, Sr. in 1988; her son, John Robert (Bob) Dawson Jr.; brother, Allen Reeder; and her sister, Cassandra Mae Parmenter. She is survived by her son, Lee Reeder Dawson and his wife, Carolyn Trout Dawson of Inwood, WV; her granddaughter, Deborah Lee Dawson of Winston-Salem, NC; and her grandson, David Lee Dawson of Woodstock, GA. She is also survived by two great-grandsons, Joseph and Caleb Dawson, also of Woodstock.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Celia’s life will follow at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment in Parklawn Memorial Park.

A reception is planned afterwards at Hampton Baptist Church where she was the oldest member and wrote this church’s early history.

Memorials may be made to Hampton Baptist Church.

She will be remembered for her many acts of kindness to all who knew her and her devotion to her Savior Jesus Christ.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666.