Earl Dawson

Earl Dawson, age 83, of Erie, transitioned in the presence of loved ones at his residence on Sunday, February 13, 2022. Born in Canton, Miss. on April 23, 1938, he was a son of the late Percy Dawson, Sr. and Olivia (Jackson) Dawson.
Earl was a dedicated provider, father, grandfather and husband. He instilled his entrepreneurial spirit in both his family and his community. A high school graduate, he was employed at Meadowbrook Dairy before opening his own business, Dawson's Barber and Beauty, which became a staple in the Black community. A licensed barber and cosmetologist, he valued his work, clients and mentoring others as a Master Teacher. His barber shop bubbled with the warmth and energy of shop talk, cracked jokes, care and concern as "Mr. D" was always game for lively conversation around sports, politics, relationships, and everything in between. Earl was an avid sports fan and cheered on his Steelers, Lakers and Golden States Warriors. He also enjoyed a spontaneous trip to the casino. Earl proudly served in the National Guard and the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He traveled the world, parachuted from planes, but loved nothing more than sitting side by side at home with his eternal sweetheart, Aljestmus.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Aljestmus (Rayburn) Dawson, and siblings, Earlene Dawson-MaGee; Mary Nell Allen, Johnnie Dawson and Larry Dawson. He is survived by seven children, Barbara Jones, of Las Vegas, Ramona Rayburn, of Erie, Jacqueline Jones, of Erie, Melinda Johnson, of Columbus, Ohio, Roxsand Dawson, of Erie, Earl Dawson, Jr., wife Shannon, of Portsmouth, Va., and Andrew Dawson, wife Sally, of Miamisburg, Ohio; 19 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren; siblings Donna Jones and Alice Jones of Erie, Mildred Hamblin of Worthington, Minnesota and Percy Dawson of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Earl was also preceded in death by a dear friend, William "Tommie" Myers, and leaves to cherish his memory, the Williams family, and close friends, Mr. Lee Henderson and family, Mr. Sunk, Mr. Lofton and Mark Dantzler. The family wishes to send a special thank you to all the staff at Saint Vincent Cancer Center and VNA Hospice, Toni, Chantal and Richard.
Friends are invited to call at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, Pine Avenue Branch, 845 E. 38th Street, on Tuesday, February 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. and at Second Baptist Church, 757 E. 26th Street, on Wednesday, February 23 from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service there at 12 p.m. The family requests that all mourners wear a mask over their mouth and nose.
Burial will follow in Erie County Memorial Gardens.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Earl Dawson please visit our Tribute Store.