Marge Dawson (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas—Marjorie Musick Dawson passed away in the Swisher Memorial Assisted Living Center on November 8, 2016. She was 95 years young. Marge was an energetic participant in church and community activities. She will be missed by her family and many friends. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the First Baptist Church in Tulia with Rev. Charles Davenport, officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. Marjorie was born March 13, 1921 in Itasca, Texas to Effie and Jeff Musick. Her family, including her older brothers, Thornton and Kirby, moved to Tulia in 1935. She was a sophomore at Tulia High School that year. Marjorie was a force of nature then, as always. She became President of the Pep Squad, learned to love both tennis and poetry, and won a typing competition on the old manual. Marjorie made lifelong friends with the girls in the “Debonair Club.” She attended Texas Tech for 2 years. She went to DC during the war and worked at the War Department, earning enough money to buy a car, she then returned home to work for the Soil Conservation Service. Following World War II, Marjorie dated R. B. Dawson, a former high school and college friend. Romance blossomed. Their wedding, at Tulia First Baptist, was one of the first in Tulia following the war and the church was packed with friends and family on January 20, 1946. Marge and R.B. had two children: Carol Ann and Bill. R.B. Dawson, Thornton Musick, Dick O’Daniel and others planned and organized the Highland Park Housing Association. Along with Effie and Jeff Musick, they built homes on Circle Drive in Tulia. Marge created a busy and happy home for her family and friends, including three generations of Musick’s who shared the block on Circle Drive. Marge was a charter member of the Progressive Study Club. As Mother Advisor of the Rainbow Girls, she sponsored summer trips to the state Rainbow Girls’ Grand Assembly. She belonged to the Eastern Star with her parents, Effie and Jeff. During Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, Marge loved teaching many Christian action and rhythm band songs. She pursued genealogy through the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Marjorie Musick Dawson is survived by her two children: Carol Ann Dawson Wallander (Raymond), William B. “Bill” Dawson (Pat Ann); her five grandchildren Will Dawson (Robin), Deanne Wallander Sammond (Doug), Drew Dawson (Lauren), Steven Wallander (Hannah), Jeff Dawson (Lelia); and her nine great-grandchildren: Sophie Dawson, Drew Sammond, Luella Wallander, Mabry Dawson, Connor Sammond, Sadie Wallander, Mac Dawson, Adare Dawson and Kinsale Dawson, her nieces and nephew: Betsy Musick Morgan, Marilyn Musick Butler, Melissa Musick Nussbaum, and Jim Musick. Marge lived and died as the matriarch of her family, caring for Jim Musick when he was seriously injured in a weather related car accident on an icy road, driving her sister-in-law, Betty Musick and her two children, Betsy and Mike, to San Francisco, to see their father, her brother, on shore leave during the War. All who knew her well will attest that she was a genuine character, a unique, blunt, smart, and witty woman. In Lieu of Flowers memorial donations may be made to the Swisher Memorial Asisted Living Center, 539 NE 2nd Street, Tulia, Texas 79088. Online condolences may be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com.