Effie Sharkey Dawson, “Ma”, 97, resident of Jackson, died at her home on Sunday, September 16, 2018. She was a retired Educator with East Feliciana Parish School Board. Visitation will be at Jackson United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018 from 5pm until 8pm with Order of the Eastern Star service at 6:30pm. Visitation will continue on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 at Jackson First Baptist Church from 9am until service at 11am. Burial will be in Dawson Family Cemetery, Jackson. She is survived by her daughter, Sheryl “Sheri” Dawson Adams and her husband Bob Adams of Asheville, NC; two sons, Edgar Scott “Scotty” Dawson and wife Beth Langlois Dawson of Jackson; Richard Flinn “Ricky” Dawson and wife Carlette Bunch Dawson of Bluff Creek; one sister Mary Sharkey Buchholz; eight grandchildren: Michelle Dawson Duncan, Nelwyn Dawson Rainwater, David Dawson, Jr. (Kathryn), Allison Dawson Hotard (Steve), Shane Dawson, Ryan Dawson (Maggie), Shannon Dawson (Chelsea), Rachel Adams (Alexander Byers); thirteen great-grandchildren: Christina Duncan, Caleb Carter (Kelsey), Whitney Rainwater, Mary Dawson, Ryan Hotard, Hastings Dawson, Mills Dawson, John Barley Dawson, Katie Ryan Dawson, Carlie Rose Dawson, Flynn Dawson, Acelyn Dawson, Baker Dawson; and four great-great-grandchildren: Jayce Hamilton, Shane Duncan, Eben Rainwater, Jameson Allen. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, William Flinn Dawson; son, William David Dawson; grandson, Christopher Scott Duncan; grandson in law, Russell Duncan; father, Robert Edgar Sharkey; mother, Seybelle Pulliam Sharkey; brothers, Jesse Lee Sharkey, Charles Stewart Sharkey, Archie Shelby Sharkey, John Edward Sharkey, and Woodrow Wilson Sharkey. Pallbearers will be Ryan Dawson, Jayce Hamilton, Hastings Dawson, Caleb Carter, Shane Duncan, and Mills Dawson. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Arnold, Randy Maglone, Larry Mears, and James Soileau. She held a degree in education from LSU and taught special education at McKowen High School and third grade at Slaughter Elementary. She was active in Eastern Star St. Albans #80 chapter. She devoted time and energy to the First Baptist Church in Jackson, LA, holding offices, teaching, helping with countless vacation Bible schools and other activities. She was “Ma” to 25 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Daisy Tarver for your friendship, your care and compassion given to our mother. Memorial donations may be made to Dawson Family Cemetery, PO Box 337, Jackson, LA 70748.

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