Addie Mae Dawsey

Addie Mae Dawsey, a beacon of faith and love, peacefully completed her journey on this earth on March 22, 2024, at the Golden age of 92. Born on December 26, 1931, in Marianna, Florida, Addie was the cherished daughter of the late Irene Flanigan and Johnny McKissic, Sr. Her early years were marked by a steadfast commitment to her faith, and upon moving with her family to Alabama, she became a devoted member of the Shady Grove Baptist Church #2 in Dothan.

Her life was a testament to the power of love, as she was united in Holy Matrimony to her soulmate, the late Deacon Zibbie L. Dawsey, Sr. Together, they built a legacy of faith and compassion, a legacy that would endure through their children and the generations that followed. Though predeceased by her husband, Deacon Zibbie L. Dawsey, Sr.; her daughter, Addie Dean Dawsey; her son, Pastor Zibbie L Dawsey, Jr..; her grandmother, Addie Mae Jones; her parents; her brother, Robert Flanigan; and her sisters: Ida Brooks and Ozzie Helms. Addie's spirit remains an indelible force within her family.

Addie's life was rich with the joy of family. She was the proud matriarch of five generations, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion in her two adored sons: Pastor Danny (Patricia) Dawsey and Gunnery Sergeant D.C. Dawsey, Retired, of the United States Marines Corps. Her grandchildren: Tristan Dawsey of Montgomery, Alabama, Charity L. Dawsey-Snell of Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Lanesha R. Reynolds (Pastor Hal Reynolds, Jr.) of Ashford, Alabama, Keira Dawsey of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jasmine Dawsey of Bakersfield, California, Landis (Renae) Thompson of Dothan, Alabama, Denzel (Amanda Torrez) Thompson of Cleveland, Ohio, Brandon (Danielle) Dawsey of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Stephanie (Darrel) Johnson, Jesse (Kim) Smith, Alfonzo (Alonda) Brown, Rufus (Sue) Brown, Trenton Johnson, Michael Johnson, Ethan Johnson, Marsha Johnson, and Essence Danzey. Her great-grandchildren: Jasmine, Tamyra, A’Iyanna, Haleigh, Jase Zoe Denzel, Jr., Lena Dean, Breeze, Dalana, Ni’ara, Christopher Johnson, Vegas Johnson, Jesse Smith, Jr., Kamauri Smith, Kaheim Smith, Alfonzo (AJ) Brown, Jr., and Ava Hendrickson.  , each a shining star in the firmament of her life, will carry forward her teachings and her boundless love. Her sister, Geraldine Lewis, and daughter-in-law, Jeanette Dawsey, also continue to embody the warmth and strength that Addie exemplified throughout her life.

With a career that spanned from skillful butcher at Sunnyland to compassionate caregiver and housekeeper, Addie's work ethic was unparalleled. Her involvement in the Ladies Aide Society, as an Usher, Deaconess, Choir Member, and Secretary, showcased her unwavering commitment to her community and church. Addie's ability to bring laughter and lightness to any situation was a gift to all who knew her, and she was indeed a comedian in her own right.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" Martin Luther King Jr.'s words echo the very essence of Addie's life. She was a woman who lived by faith, her actions a constant answer to this profound inquiry. Her loving nature and faith-filled soul were the foundations upon which she built her life, touching countless hearts along the way.

Addie Mae Dawsey's story is one of unwavering faith, boundless love, and joyous laughter. It is a story that does not end with her passing but continues to inspire and motivate through the lives of those she touched. Her legacy is a reminder that every moment is precious and that our truest purpose is discovered in the love we share and the service we render to others.

As we honor Addie's memory, let us carry her spirit within us, allowing her love to guide us, her laughter to uplift us, and her faith to strengthen us. In the words of Helen Keller, "What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Addie Mae Dawsey, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, will forever remain a part of us, her light shining on through the generations.

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