Cheryl D. Dawson

Cheryl Diane Dawson, 75, of Duquesne, was born March 5, 1946 in McKeesport, PA. She was the beloved daughter of the late Edward Giles and Bevis (Dawson) McDougal. She departed this life peacefully on April 17, 2021 at home surrounded by loved ones. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Dawn Dawson Cash, grandson, Niko Dawson, brothers, Mack Brown, Neil and Kevin Giles, and sister Soni Harvey.  

Cheryl attended Duquesne Senior High School and furthered her education by obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Cheryl had strong ties to her community. She worked at the Duquesne Family Support Center, she was the site coordinator for the after school program at the Masonic Building in McKeesport. For many years, Cheryl worked nights at a shelter for abused women, and was also on the Board of Directors at Healthy Start. She was a lifelong member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Duquesne where she served God and her church well. She was part of the Senior Choir, Nurses Board, Mime Team, Hospitality Committee, Usher Board, and was also a van driver. Cheryl was many things. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. Cheryl enjoyed time spent with friends at card games. She also enjoyed her some bingo- especially if she won! But more than anything Cheryl loved the time spent in the presence of her family. To know her was to love and respect her. Her honesty and humor went hand in hand. She was as tender as she was tough. Whether it be the power of prayer or how to throw down in the kitchen, the lessons she taught will never be forgotten. She was loving, kind, genuine, loyal, wise and faithful. There aren’t enough words to embody the woman Cheryl Dawson was, but the most significant and truest statement one can make is she was a child of God.

Cheryl is survived by her children, Jade (Sandra) Dawson of Lithia Springs, Ga, Danni Dawson-Hill (Robert) of Duquesne, Minnie D. Thomas of Turtle Creek, Damu R. Thomas of McKeesport; her 27 grandchildren of which she raised (Aumadonna, Bevis, Syra, and little Cheryl Dawson) 59 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sisters, Shelly Rae Hester, Joddha McDougal, Penny Kirkland, JoAnne Kirkland, Tonya Lee, Michelle Robinson; brothers, Charlton (Jennifer) McDougal, Rev. Craig (Ronita) Giles, Mark Giles, Paul Kirkland, Quinn Kirkland. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of friends, nieces, nephews, cousins, and her beloved uncle Crosby (Gigi) Dawson.

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