Funeral Services for Mrs. Shirley Saxon Dawkins, age 78 of Ashland, will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Ashland with Rev. Brad Kimble and Bro. Noah Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Clay County Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Dawkins passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at her home. She was born in Sylacauga, lived in Clay County most of her life, and was a graduate of Clay County High School. She worked briefly at her Mother’s beauty Salon and at the First National Bank as a loan teller for several years. Mrs. Dawkins primarily worked for the Clay County Board of Education as a secretary and Custodian of Funds for 20 years until she retired. She also helped with the Census and kept her grandkids when they were growing up. Mrs. Dawkins was a wonderful artist, specializing in painting portraits and using water colors and oil paints. She taught art out of her home in Clay County and some in Alexander City. She also enjoyed traveling, attending First United Methodist Church in which she was a member, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Dawkins was described as a sweet, caring, and loving woman of faith, with a beautiful personality. She was always well-organized and well kept. She was a loving Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister to many.
Mrs. Dawkins is survived by her son, Duane Nappier (Wendy) of Ashland; four grandchildren: Colten Carr (Chassidie), Chelsea Nappier (Jai Galloway), Taylor Hamilton (Matthew), and Case Nappier (Katelyn Ary); six great-grandchildren: Raelynn, Caraline, Ivy, Cameron, Ireland, and Iverson; three brothers: Bobby Saxon of Ashland, Michael Saxon (Pat) of Lineville, and Harold Saxon (April) of Ashland; her special friends: Wanda Brooks, Prissy Horn, Jo Fullbright, Judy Williams, Rhonda Smith, plus a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents: Robert Harold Saxon and Rubye Wright Saxon, and her husband, Max Dawkins.
Active Pallbearers will be Jamey Saxon, Johnathan Saxon, Stan Brooks, Jamie Browning, Jai Galloway, Matthew Hamilton, Petey Benefield, and Travis Zachery. Honorary Pallbearers will be Randy Dawkins, Irvin Thompson, Tim Saxon, Donny Fowler, and Blake Horn.
Her visitation will take place on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. She will lie in state for one hour on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Ashland from 1:00 P.M. until service time at 2:00 P.M.
