Iris Hester Dawson

Iris Hester Dawson, age 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 11th, 2025, with her children present. 

Iris was born in Wing, Alabama, to parents Ivy and Mamie Watson. She grew up on a farm with three brothers and four sisters, including her twin brother, Irvin Vester Watson. She married Air Force Sgt. Delano Pete Dawson at age 19, and they spent the early years of their marriage traveling the world while Pete was enlisted. They were happily married for 67 years, until Pete passed away in 2023. 

To know Iris was to love her. She was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and also a friend to anyone who needed one. She never met a stranger, and considered everyone equal, worthy of love and attention. She was the ultimate prayer warrior; if you ever stayed at Iris’ house, you saw her kneeling on the floor each night to pray. She prayed fiercely for everyone she loved. 

Iris loved gardening and served as President of the Mobile, Alabama garden club for many years. She also loved to rescue animals, whether it be birds, turtles, or frogs. Those who loved her have memories of her rehabbing injured birds and teaching them to fly again, and one time, even giving CPR to a turtle. There was no creature or person Iris wouldn’t take care of. 

A natural leader and teacher, Iris taught Sunday School as well as the kids’ GA group at church and was very devoted to her church membership and bringing those around her closer to Christ. She considered every moment of life to be an opportunity for a lesson, which usually went along with a craft and a snack, because you listen better with a full belly. There was no shortage of homemade Play-Doh, science experiments, and scout projects. She was a mother to her own children but also many others, including children she took in from foster care. 

No words would be sufficient for such a full life. If you knew Iris, she no doubt had a positive impact on your life. We ask that you keep the ripple effect going, in her name. 

Iris was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Vaughn and Alton Watson; her twin brother, Irvin Watson; her sister, Nell White; and her great-grandson, Bryant Chapman. 

She left behind her children, Frank Dawson (wife, Cindy), Frances Denise May (husband, Chris) and Wanita Chapman (husband, Jamie); three sisters, Betty Sims, Barbara Kelly, and Mae Watkins. She will forever be missed by her 8 grandchildren, Amy Tungett (husband, Duke), Kimberly Danielle Chartier (husband, Alex), Lindsay Morgan (husband, Grant), Alesha Dawson, Sara Kaller (husband, Tim), Christin Breland (husband, Patrick), Dawson Chapman (wife, Casey), and Jamie Sheree Chapman. She also left behind 28 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. 

Her celebration of life will be held at Red Creek Union Baptist Church, 25712 Schoolhouse Rd., Vestry, MS on Monday, July 14th, at 2 pm, with visitation at 1 pm. All who knew and loved Iris are welcome to join us in her loving memory.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Iris Hester Dawson.