Mother Eunice Lester Dawson of 345 Church Avenue, Byromville, Georgia, died Monday, January 12, 2026, at her residence.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.

evening, January 12, 2026, the earthly existence of Mother Eunice Lester Dawson of 345 Church Avenue, Byromville, GA, ceased, and her ascension to the house of the Lord was completed. She transitioned peacefully, having lived a life anchored in unshakable faith, enduring love, and remarkable strength.

Mother Eunice Lester Dawson was born on October 21, 1923, in Dooly  County, Byromville, GA, to Cleveland Lester and Addie Eunice Lester. Her educational journey began in the public schools of Dooly County, where she formulated the guiding principles of her life—faith, love of family,  life-long learning, and resilience. The principles by which she lived were her personal blueprint for navigating the unpredictability of life and people. She was extraordinarily grounded in faith and in her love for the Lord, placing her life in His hands and living free of worry and fear, confident in God's providence and promises.

At an early age, Mother Eunice L. Dawson accepted Christ as her personal Savior and united with Byrom Chapel C.M.E. Church in Byromville, GA. She remained a faithful and lifetime member, serving her church with humility and steadfast devotion as she lived out her beliefs in word and deed.

For more than 35 years, she was employed by Pinehill Nursing Center, where she excelled in providing care, comfort, and companionship to countless patients. Her dedication to her work went far beyond duty; she ministered through kindness, patience, and compassion, touching  numerous families through her service.

She loved her family dearly and always made them a priority. She raised, nurtured, and influenced several generations, and being a devoted mother to her children was her greatest and most cherished joy. She delighted in learning new concepts and ideas and took great pleasure in discussing them, reflecting a mind that remained active, curious, and engaged. Her mental, emotional, and physical strength defied conventional wisdom, and to the very end she possessed razor-sharp intelligence and remarkable physical and emotional agility.

She leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, and fortitude that will continue to live in the hearts and lives of those she nurtured and inspired. Though she is no longer present in the flesh, her example, her teachings, and her love will remain an enduring light for her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Cleveland Lester and Addie Eunice Lester; her dedicated husband, Willie Dawson; her brothers, Frank Lester and AC Lester; her granddaughter, Josetta Dawson Lloyd; her great granddaughter, Johnnedra "Ne-Ne" Ellis; her grandsons, Neil Pridgeon and Anthony Pridgeon and her incredibly dedicated and loving son, Eavin J. Dawson.

She is survived by her loving children: Addie W. Dawson of Atlanta, GA and Ellaree Pridgeon of Byromville, GA; her grandchildren: Terence Dawson (Sandy) of Atlanta, GA, Chouvoyeia Dawson and Kevin Pridgeon of Byromville, GA, Curtdriquez Lee (Kesha) of Montezuma, GA and Octavious Wiggins of Atlanta, GA; her great grandchildren: Malaysha Lee of Montezuma, GA, Keon Lester, Antuan Webb, Malik Pridgeon, Kahneil Wheller, Ne'Quairius Pridgeon, Zy'Terrius Pridgeon and LaKebrene Pridgeon; and her great, great grandchildren: Niya Ellis of Byromville, GA, Chesnie Dawson of Vienna, GA and Adaisha Wiggins of Lilly, GA; her faithful and fiercely loyal daughter-in-law: Selma Leggett Dawson; a  treasure chest full of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many wonderful and sorrowing friends and acquaintances.