Shirley Mae Dawson

Shirley Mae Dawson (Larson), age 79, passed away on September 3, 2023.  Shirley was born to Vera & Ernest Larson, and she was the first child born in Gila County on January 1st, 1944.

Shirley is survived by her husband Edward Dawson, her son-in-law Mont Johnson, Becky (Jason) Sowards, Eric (Evelyn) Dawson, & Tricia (Erin) Dawson.  She was preceded in death by her children Kimberly, Mark, and Kathy.  She has 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  She also has two surviving siblings Roberta Shellenberger and Jim Larson.

Shirley graduated from Globe High School in 1961.  She attended Eastern Arizona College, and she received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Arizona.

She will be remembered by many through her service in the community and church.  She established Gila County Developmental Center, taught at Globe High School and Copper Rim Elementary School.  She was on the Globe School Board and served as the School Board President. She was elected to the Board of Supervisor for two terms, and she became the first Chairwoman.  She was also a businesswoman who owned and operated Better Life Center and Fly-Away Travel Agency.  Over the course of almost seven years, she and her husband served 3 missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with service and humanitarian efforts in Peru/Bolivia, San Carlos Reservation, and in Utah at the Church History Center.
She epitomized the verse, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.”

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Lunch/Celebration stories to follow after
funeral service.

Zoom Link https://zoom.us/j/99473501814  meeting ID 92652417958
passcode 17694

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Globe High School Scholarship Fund.

Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe located at 328 S. Hill St., Globe, AZ. (928) 425-5491