Billie Dawson

Mrs. Billie Joan Dawson, age 92, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Monday, November 21, 2022, at home surrounded by her loving family. Billie was born October 27, 1930, in Mexico, Mo., a daughter of George Everett and Maude Mae (Genrich) Stewart. She grew up in Mexico on their family farm. Billie graduated from Mexico High School in 1947, and was a 1949 graduate of Jefferson City Junior College. Billie married James Horace “Jim” Dawson on November 27, 1951, in Harrison, Ark. She was employed with the Missouri Bar, Missouri Department of Corrections, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Jim preceded her in death on February 22, 1974. Following the death of her husband, Billie balanced caring for her six children, and managing the family’s real estate business. Billie’s priority in life was her family. She was the youngest of seven children and helped care for most of her siblings in their later years. She supported all her children’s endeavors and spent many hours teaching them how to play golf. Each summer she hosted “Grandma’s Camp” for a whole month filled with swimming, golf, tennis and general fun. Her door was always open for her children and grandchildren’s friends as well as neighborhood kids. She was a loving, patient, and strong woman who also accomplished her solo flight by landing a Cessna 182 at Lambert Airport. Billie loved traveling with family and friends and traveled to almost all 50 states. She also took her grandchildren on many trips as well as an 8th grade graduation trip to San Francisco. One of her favorite pastimes was playing bridge with her friends. The love of bridge began on the steps at Junior college with her friends and they continued to play for almost 70 years. She loved attending theater and musicals, antiquing, knitting, and completing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles. Billie was an avid reader, and an advocate for reading. She volunteered her time tutoring adults on learning how to read with the Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE). She will be remembered for her ready smile, caring nature, and genuine love of life. Survivors include: six children, John Dawson (Lisa Prettyman) of Holts Summit, Mo., Sarah Dawson Welch (Don) of Wardsville, Mo., Susan Dawson Buzzard (David) of Allen, Texas, Ronald Dawson (Laurie) of Jefferson City, Mo., Judy Dawson (Ross Carter) of Jefferson City, Mo. and James Dawson of Jefferson City, Mo.; six grandchildren, Patricia Hall (Chris) of Incline Village, Nev., Matthew Welch (Alisa Ash) of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Bryan Welch (Skylar) of Westbrook, Maine, Kara Wampler (Blake) of Costa Mesa, Calif., Brianna Hensley (Zachary Russell) of Austin, Texas and Jacob Buzzard of Oak Point, Texas; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 22 years, Jim; one grandson, Nathan Carter; and six siblings, Eugene Stewart, Bessie Stewart Towson, Geraldine Stewart Cleesen, Thelma Ruth Stewart Walter, Ima Jean Mae Stewart, and Rosa Ellen Stewart. Private graveside services and interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery. A Celebration of Billie’s Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 324 E. Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) by mailing all donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com