Mrs. Gladys Dawkins

DAWKINS, Mrs. Gladys - Age 95, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at McLaren-Lapeer, MI. Family hour 10:30 AM Monday, December 11, 2017 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Johnnie Brown III officiating. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, 5175 E. Bristol Rd., Burton, MI. There will be no public viewing. On November 29, 2017, Gladys (Woodson) Dawkins went home to be with Lord at McLaren Hospital, in Lapeer, Michigan. Gladys was born June 1, 1922 in Marvell, Arkansas, the eldest daughter of thirteen children born to Percy and Irene Woodson. In December 1943, Gladys married Thomas Dawkins Sr. in Marvell, AR. In the early 1940’s she and Thomas Dawkins Sr. , along with their two eldest children, Thomas Jr. and Bettie Jean to Flint, MI. After moving to Flint, she and Thomas Sr. became the parents of five other children: Percy William “P. W.“, Toni Lenda, Lawrence Carlton, Rudy Burnell and Quinn Anthony. Gladys was a fiercely independent woman, who was never known to back down from a challenge. Gladys’ determination to meet a challenge head on is evidenced in the fact that she taught herself to type, attended Community College, learned to drive and worked as a Genesee County Environmental Health Technician for Genesee County, all after she had reached the age of 50. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Gladys was a solid friend and steadfast parent, who was always true to her word. Gladys was an expert seamstress, who enjoyed baking and canning. Even though she spent her adult life in Flint, she loved to reminisce about her early years in Marvell, AR when she would share funny stories about the likes of the ornery mule her family owned that would purposely entangle itself in the plow traces, when he didn't want to work. But most importantly, Gladys accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, was forever faithful to give praise to God. She put her trust in Jesus for her lifes blessings and the protection of her family. One of Gladys’ first church homes after moving to Flint was Canaan Baptist Church, where she was one of the first members of the Canaan Mothers Club. She also enjoyed a long church affiliation with Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Dawkins leaves to cherish her memory: children, Toni Lenda Dawkins–Couch (John), Lawrence Carlton Dawkins, Rudy Bernell Dawkins, and Quinn Anthony (Lynne) Dawkins; daughter-in-law, Delois Dawkins, all of Flint; grandchildren, Ernest Morris Jr. of Flint, Trina Patterson (Timothy) of Minneapolis, MN, Kenyatta Dawkins (Angela) of Grand Blanc, MI, Carmon Dawkins of Ft. Wayne, IN, Toryn Dawkins of Lilburn, GA, Savannah Dawkins of Flint, Natiera Dawkins of Flint, Quinn Dawkins Jr. of Flint and Devonte Windom of Flint; great grandchildren, DeJon Morris (Earnest) of California, Donovan Patterson (Trina) of Minneapolis, MN, Trenton Patterson (Trina) of Minneapolis, MN, Kennedi Dawkins (Kenyatta) of Grand Blanc, MI, Lauren Harris (Carmon) of Dallas, TX, Courtney Harris (Carmon) of Ft. Wayne, IN, Venice Walker (Earnest) of Detroit, MI and Faryn Holloway (Toryn) of Lilburn, GA; 2 sisters, Mamie Hagans and Irene Sims, both of Buffalo, NY; 2 sisters-in law, Elnora Dawkins of Marvell, AR and Doris Dawkins; brother-in-law, Glenn (Delores) Dawkins, all of St. Louis, MO; a host of other relatives and friends. Gladys (Woodson) Dawkins was preceded in death by: her husband, Thomas Dawkins Sr.; 2 sons, Percy Williams “PW” Dawkins and Thomas Dawkins Jr.; daughter, Bettie (Dawkins) Holmes; mother, Irene Woodson; father Percy Woodson; 3 sisters; and 6 brothers.

Mrs. Gladys Dawkins

June 1, 1922 - November 29, 2017