Elva Jane Dawson, 93, formerly of the Bethany Community, died Friday at Laughlin Healthcare Center.

She was a member of Bethany Free Will Baptist Church.

Her family said she was a devoted mother and grandmother, and was a woman of great strength and character with a gentle spirit and loving heart.

Mrs. Dawson, a daughter of Herman S. and Etta L. White, was preceded in death by her former husband: Richard C. Dawson Sr.; a brother: Denver White; and two sisters: Ruby Simmons and Velma White.

Survivors include: three sons and daughters-in-law: Richard C. (Junior) and Tiny Dawson; Terry L. and Lowanda Dawson; and Lloyd S. and Susanne Dawson; three daughters and sons-in-law: Jane and Johnny Dickerson; Patty and Jerry Smith; and Reba and Eddie Salyers; 10 grandchildren and their spouses: Missy Dawson, Richie Dawson, Ashley Dawson, Jarrod and Karen Dawson, Travis and Sarah Dawson Smith, Allen and Michelle Dickerson Huffman, Brittany Dickerson, Jason and Amanda Smith Hopson, Jamie Salyers, and Trevor and Crystal Salyers Smith; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers and two sisters-in-law: C.A. and Jean White, Charles and Clyde White, and Donald White; two sisters: Mary Edythe Rutledge and Selma Johnson; two sisters-in-law: Evelyn White and Phyllis White; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Charles and Margie Dawson; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Jeffers Funeral and Cremation Service.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Bethany Free Will Baptist Church.

Interment will follow at Bethany FWB Church Cemetery.

The Rev. Roger Dykes and the Rev. Donnie Bailey will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Jarrod Dawson, Richie Dawson, Jamie Salyers, Jason Hopson, Travis Smith and Allen Huffman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Andy Delwadia, Dr. Maynard Austin, Laughlin Healthcare Center staff, and nurses of Caris Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family www. jeffersmortuary.com