Dawn Dobson

Dawn Dobson, beloved daughter of Jo and Jack Dobson, and beloved sister and sister-in-law of Allen and Julianne Dobson, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2021, at the age of 63, from COVID-19 complications.

Dawn was born in Lonoke, Arkansas, to Jo and Jack Dobson on September 19, 1958.  Brother Allen was two when Dawn was born. She grew up in Lonoke, Little Rock, Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Fordyce, Arkansas. Dawn graduated from Fordyce High School in 1977. Dawn attended Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas, for two years and attended SAU Technical Branch at East Camden for one year. Dawn was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, most recently a 30-year member of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Little Rock.

Dawn was a gifted pianist and organist and continued to play piano throughout her life. From May 1981 through August 1989, Dawn was the Organist at the Bearden and Thornton United Methodist Churches. From August 1989 through June 1990, Dawn was the Accompanist at Fordyce First United Methodist Church. At FUMC Little Rock, Dawn played for the Children’s Choir and Youth Ensemble. At FUMC Little Rock, Dawn sang with the Chancel Choir, and in 2019 sang with FUMC Choirs at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She also played in the Hand Bell Choir, including playing in the Arkansas Capitol Rotunda.

In 1990, with the encouragement of Allen and his then wife-Pam, Dawn moved to North Little Rock to live with them and began job training with Easterseals of Arkansas. After she completed her job training with Easterseals in 1991, Easterseals transformed Dawn’s life by offering her a full-time position. Dawn worked full-time with Easterseals as a Medical Records Clerk/Receptionist until July 2021 when she was hospitalized with lung issues. Dawn simply loved her job at Easterseals and the connections she made there. Dawn entertained her co-workers and students at Easterseals, and her friends and family with her multiple showy outfits for holidays and events. In 1991, Dawn began living independently, and continued to live independently the rest of her life. Dawn enjoyed her close-knit relationships with her good neighbors, Janice Stanford, Bob Massery, and Maureen Richmond. Dawn also had a good friend, Max Standridge; they looked after each other. When mother Jo’s health began declining, Dawn diligently and lovingly ministered and assisted Jo.

Dawn consumed the Arkansas Gazette and then Arkansas Democrat-Gazette every day, and usually scoured all major sections of the papers. Dawn knew sports, style, business, politics, and current events. She could talk Razorback sports – men’s and women’s from football to track – in-depth with anyone in the State of Arkansas. Like all good Razorback fans, she rejoiced when the Hogs won and suffered when the Hogs lost. Dawn was an amazing walking, talking, breathing historical and genealogical machine. Dawn never needed “six degrees of separation” to make a connection with someone else in Arkansas. Usually, Dawn could make a connection in two degrees.

Dawn was a thoroughly committed and proud aunt to Cole and Maggie their entire lives, attending countless school, sporting, and social events for them. Dawn adored her relatives, especially her aunt, Trudy Walker, and her first cousin, Amy Walker (Trudy’s daughter). Lloyd Walker (Trudy’s husband) and Jeff Bailey (Amy’s husband) diligently and unfailingly watched over Dawn with Trudy and Amy. In 2013, Allen married Julianne St. Clair and Dawn acquired a beautiful loving sister-in-law, whom Dawn loved very much, and an equally loving and welcoming St. Clair family, especially Patricia Hillis and Carol Mason. Dawn enjoyed many fine celebrations and meals at Patricia’s house. She was well-loved. Everyone who knew her will miss her. Dawn’s survivors include her brother, Allen Dobson (Julianne), niece Maggie Byrd (Nathan) of Little Rock, and nephew Cole Dobson of Fayetteville. Dawn’s parents, Jo and Jack Dobson, and sisters Mary Lynn and Melanie Jo Dobson, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 4, from 6-8 p.m. at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be Friday, November 5, 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, followed by interment at Jones Cemetery in Amity. Masks will be required at FUMC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorials be to Easterseals of Arkansas and First United Methodist Church of Little Rock.