Virginia Dawson

OBITUARY OF VIRGINIA BATES DAWSON ZEELAND,MICHIGAN: Virginia Bates Dawson of Zeeland, Michigan, formerly of Adrian, died on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at The Hospice House of Holland. . She was born March 16, 1917 on the family farm in Rome Township. On October 11, 1941 she married John H. Dawson in the old Adrian College Chapel. Virginia graduated from Adrian College in 1938 and from the University of Michigan with a Masters in Guidance and Counseling in 1961. Dr. and Mrs.Dawson spent thirteen years in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area serving Methodist churches in Clymer, Wilmerding and Crafton. When Dr. Dawson became President of Adrian College in 1954 they came to Adrian, where she worked diligently at his side serving the college. Virginia and daughter, Marsha, entered Drager Middle School together where she began her career as an English Teacher and Guidance Counselor. She relished being productive. In retirement she served as President of Lenawee Retired Teachers, President of Monday Literary Club, and as a board member of the Salvation Army, and Bixby Hospital Auxiliary. She was instrumental in bringing PEO Chapter EI to Adrian. Virginia also enjoyed many hours with sewing friends at The First United Methodist Church. Perhaps her greatest joy was teaching her granddaughters to bake multiple pies at the family cottage on Lake Michigan. Virginia repeatedly commented in her last year that she had “Lived a Wonderful Life.” She is survived by her daughter, Marsha Nelson (Jim) of Holland, MI; her granddaughters, Elizabeth King (William) of Holland, MI and Emily Taylor (John) of Byron Center, MI; her great grandchildren Will, Elise and Charles Dawson King; and Cade,Grace and Brooke Taylor; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Sally Dawson of Richmond, Va; and many nieces and nephews. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Minnie and John Bates; her brother, Victor Bates ; her husband, John H. Dawson; and her dearly beloved son, John R. Dawson (Jack). Family and friends are invited to remember and celebrate her unique spirit on Friday, May 28, from noon-3:00 at the Wagley Funeral Home at 1501 W. Maumee in Adrian. Should you wish to remember Virginia with a memorial, please consider The Hospice House of Holland at 445 104th St., Holland, MI 49423 or the John R. Dawson Scholarship Fund at Adrian College, 110 S. Madison St., Adrian, MI 49221.

Virginia Dawson

March 16, 1917 - May 22, 2010