Mildred Dawson

Ms. Mildred Ann Dawson, daughter of the late Milton Alexander and Mildred Brown, was born on May 18, 1941, at Greenville General Hospital. She attended and graduated from Sterling High School in Greenville, South Carolina in 1960.

After finishing high school, Mildred moved to Richmond, Virginia and then on to New York. She enrolled in Drake Business School where she received her Associates Degree in Computer Technology. She was later employed by the Astoria Long Island City Child Care Center for several years as a secretary. She then moved on to Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey as an administrative assistant where she retired from after 32 years of service.

Mildred’s time on earth touched so many lives and she will be deeply missed. She was very well known and loved by the Astoria/LIC community. There wasn’t a person she wouldn’t help or a fight she wouldn’t take on. Ms. Dawson, as she was affectionately known around the neighborhood, would give her undeniable support to anyone who asked. All who knew her knew that her family meant everything to her.

On October 27, 2016, Mildred was called home. Preceding her in death were her mother, Mildred Brown; father, Milton Alexander; brother, Charles T. Brown and her very special, four-legged son, Puffy.

Mildred leaves behind to cherish her fond and loving memories, one son, Vincent Dawson of Buffalo, NY; one daughter, Lyba Dawson of Astoria, NY; their father, William Vance of Buffalo, NY; two grandchildren, Ashley and Alonzo of Astoria, NY; two sisters, Vernell Pinson and Carolyn Harris; two aunts, Mary Austin and Mae Earl Harris; one sister--in-law, Linda Hawkins, all of Greenville, SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

To quote the profound Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Thank you so much, Ma, for how you made us feel. You will live forever in our hearts. May you rest in peace.