Virginia Dawson

Virginia Clyde Barnett Dawson passed away on Monday July 5, 2021, at St. Joseph's Hospice Care Center in Gulfport, MS. Her family was by her side. A private Celebration of Life will be held with family only. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the charity of your
choice.
Virginia Clyde was born July 14, 1940, in Eastman, Georgia, to parents, John Ashley and Lily Alma (nee Carr) Barnett. She graduated from Warner Robins High school, in Warner Robins, GA. She married Eugene Ford in 1958 and they had a daughter, Gwendolyn the following December. Clyde subsequently
met and married Butch Dawson in 1970 and had a son, John Robert. Butch and Clyde also made her niece Cynthia (nee Barnett) Montecalvo a part of their immediate family unit and she became like a daughter.
Virginia to many, Clyde to most, was first and foremost a woman of great strength and courage. She was loving, gracious, kind, and welcoming with a quick wit and a giving heart. She dearly loved her family and friends and kept close contact with her brothers, sisters, children, nieces, and nephews throughout her life. She was "the tie that binds".
Early in Clyde's childhood, she contracted polio. She often said that it was the tireless work of her
mother that got her through the disease and on common ground with her siblings and peers. Clyde said
that she was treated no differently than the others in her family and therefore grew up without knowing
she had a disability.
Clyde enjoyed her work at Robins Air Force Base as a civil servant performing data entry. While working
on the base, she was encouraged to get a parking spot that would require her to walk a shorter distance
to her office. As she recalled, "that is when I learned that I had a disability. I never saw it for myself and
have never considered it. I enjoyed walking in with friends and turned the parking space down."
Clyde left her work at Robins Air Force Base to travel with her husband Butch to Colorado, a cold place
for a Georgia girl. She obtained her CDL and began driving the school bus for the Colorado Springs school
system. A job not for the faint of heart. A job that she thoroughly loved. After several years in the cold,
Clyde and her family relocated to Arizona where she again transported children to school. A third move
to Alaska gave her stories to share about the treacherous winter roads, especially for a bus driver,
Alaska's natural beauty, and the long 24-hour nights. After retirement she and Butch settled in Biloxi MS,
close to her children and grandchildren.
Virginia Clyde is survived by her husband of 51 years, Butch, her children John Robert (Dana), and
Cynthia, grandchildren Aden, Christopher, and Kristin, great granddaughter Zoie and numerous nephews
and nieces.
Virginia Clyde was preceded in death by her daughter Gwendolyn and granddaughter Leah Marie.
Life is wonderful and tragic. Clyde faced tragedies with courage, grace, stamina, and sheer guts. Your rest
is well deserved. You ran the race, and your work is done. Rest in Peace. The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd., in West Jackson County is serving the family.