Thelma Mae Dawson

Thelma Mae (Franklin) Dawson age 71, of Sterling CT, died Tuesday, February 13, 2024 in St. Vincent Medical Center, with her 3 boys by her side. She was the loving wife of Virgil (Butch) Dawson. She was Born in Baltimore MD, the daughter of Della Mae McCulley and the late Russell S. Franklin.
Mrs. Dawson worked for the Killingly Schools as a Para for 22 years at all grade levels. She was employed right up until she passed. She loved her students and was well loved by them and her co-workers.
Thelma loved the outdoors, gardening, reading, sitting outside with her morning coffee, hosting family reunions.
Thelma participated in the Miss PIMA pageant at Plainfield High School and won Miss Congeniality.
Thelma, being born in Maryland, lived there for a few years and attended Point Pleasant School. She participated with her sister Judy in a Halloween Parade contest in a Princess Costume that her mother and Aunt Helen made. She was the prettiest little princess you ever saw. In the summer she along with her brother Ticky and sister Judy and cousins made and sold the most delicious snow cones. They delivered by pulling a wagon around to the neighbors. What fun. Later her family moved to Coventry RI where her brother Russell (Ticky) was born. They were the best of buddies their whole life. While attending West Greenwich Schools she participated in a P.T.O. Show where she and her sister, along with others wore old fashioned bathing suits and twirled parasols, made by her Aunt Thelma and Mom. They sang and danced to the song, "By the Sea, By the Sea," the hit of the evening.
Then in 1958 Michael Wayne was born and not long after we moved to a thoroughbred Horse Farm in Moosup CT. Thelma had a Palamino horse named April that she rode and groomed. She loved Animals of all kinds. It was there that she would sit in her 2nd story bedroom in her window seat and read for hours.
Later we would move to Central Village, CT. Our parents owned a restaurant in Moosup. When Thelma graduated from Junior High, our parents gave her party at the restaurant, that was very special with her friends and family, good food and the Juke box to dance to. Thelma, in the last two years of High School, decided to move to TN with her Aunt Helen and cousins. She graduated in 1971 from Trezevant High School, Memphis TN. She returned to CT for a while. She was by her sister's side when it was time for her 1st nephew Daryl to be born, helping her get dressed and putting on her boots. Thank you.
Well now time for her to go to a warmer climate, Florida, with her friend Holly. While down there she met her husband to be, Virgil (Butch) Dawson. They all returned in time back to CT until 1975. They headed to Butch's home state and settled in Jackson MS. Starting in 1976 they raised their three boys, Michael, Ben and Patrick in that order, each seven years apart. Michael took his first plane ride when he was only 2 ½ months old when Uncle Danny gave Thelma a B'day gift to give Grandma a surprise visit of her new Grandchild for Grandma's B'day, too. It was wonderful for everyone.
Thelma became a young widow with 3 boys and decided to return to CT and be with her family. What good news for us. Thelma never stopped to remind us how much she loved "Her Boys" that was all she needed. Thelma was loved by her whole family, including cousins, aunts, and uncles. Especially her nephews, Jake and Nate. She was a fun person to be around. She and her friends had a lot of adventures and good times. Maura, Paula, Kathy, Barbara you know who you are.
Thelma was a very relaxed, laid-back kind of person. She never complained or argued. She was her own person, kind of independent. She liked the simple life. She was not flashy or an attention getter but when she came into a room you just would find yourself drawn to her. We loved you and will miss you, already do.
Happiness and Peace are all yours now in Heaven, Hope you are running barefoot and fancy free.
In addition to her mother Della McCulley, Thelma is survived by sons, Michael Dawson, Benjamin Dawson, and Patrick Dawson; sister, Judy (Franklin) Poprosky and her husband, Daniel; and nephews, Daryl Poprosky and his wife Tina, Jake Franklin, Nathan Franklin and his wife Julie, Parker Franklin. She was predeceased by her husband, Virgil (Butch) Dawson, brothers, Russell (Ticky) Claude Franklin and Michael Wayne Franklin; and father, Russell Shaw Franklin
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Thelma's family from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 in Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home, 595 Norwich Rd, Plainfield, CT. A dedication and Celebration of Life Service will take place at 6: 00 PM by Pastor Lee Edwards. Burial will be announced at a later date.