Lillie Pearl Sankey Dawson was born September 20, 1926 in Ramer, Alabama to the parents of Mr. Roosevelt and Mrs. Rosezena (Jones) Sankey. She had two siblings Jimmy Sankey (Susan), Orlando, FL; and Mrs. Rose Mae Fudge, deceased (Edward), Detroit, MI. She attended Hickory Chapel Elementary School and attended high school in Ramer, Alabama. Ms. Lillie Pearl Sankey married Mr. Simon Dawson, Sr. (deceased, 1969) December 24, 1947. The newlywed moved to Birmingham, AL in 1948 the same year their first child was born, Simon Dawson, Jr., deceased. There were four other children born to this union: Mrs. Shirley Ann (Dawson/Barnes) Sailem (Wallace), Mr. Johnny Lee Dawson, Sr. deceased (Gerri), Mr. David Lord Dawson, deceased, and Evangelist Missionary, Dr. Martha Ann Dawson. Mother Dawson was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and great­great grandmother not just to her own bloodline but many, many extended family members and love ones. Mother Dawson had an infectious smile and a solid faith in God. She stood by his words, "If He doesn't, I know He can."

In 1958, Mother Dawson and her husband moved to Overton, Alabama, and purchased their home where she lived until her passing. As a young child, Mother would often visit the older church sisters and listen to the read the Bible. In 1960, she was converted and filled with the Holy Ghost under the late Bishop and Mother Harris, and joined the Freewill Church of God in Christ, Overton where she remained a faithful, God lead, devoted worker and member until her departure, 2016. She was a member under the late Bishop and Mother Green, Bishop Andrew and Mother Jones, Sr., current Bishop Eugene and Mother Starks, and current Pastor Gerry L. Turner. Mother leaves a church legacy of over 50 years where she taught five generations in Sunday school, YPWW, and YWCC. She served in both local and state offices with great respect for the bishops, elders, pastors, ministers, mothers and all God's children. Her teaching and Sunday school instructions have produced over 40 pastors, first ladies, elders, ministers, missionaries and deacons in the Body of Christ. She was a prayer warrior that knew how to get an answer from God. As one person said, "Mother would pray for you when she needed prayer herself." Another one said, "You call to encourage Mother, and she would end up encouraging you."

She leaves to cherish her memories and life story: two devoted daughters, Mrs. Shirley Ann (Dawson/Barnes) Sailem (Wallace) and Evangelist Missionary, Dr. Martha Ann Dawson (caretaker); one brother Mr. Jimmy Lee Sankey, Sr. (Susan), Jimmy L. Sankey, Jr.(Jet); grandchildren Mr. Alex Ali Barnes (sons Nicolas and Roman Barnes); Mr. Johnny L Dawson, Jr.; Mr. Maurio Dawson (Angela), Ms. Lorraine Jones, Ms. Davida Dawson, Ms. Patrician Dawson, Ms. Takiah Jones, Aaliyah Jones, Ms. Kimberly N. Burney, Mr. Bryan Burney (Danielle). Her special daughters and sons are Mrs. Ruth Brown, Mr. Bryan & Pamela Burney, Mr. Cedric and Mrs. Carmen Wormely, Mr. Freddie Nichols and Minister Melvin Turner. She has a host of nieces, nephews, sisters-­in­-law, cousins and friends.

Family Hour will be held Friday, July 15, 2016 from 6:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Smith & Gaston Southside Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. at Freewill Church of God in Christ, Overton with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery.