Anna Dawson

Anna Dickens Dawson, 88, passed away at her home Tuesday, September 23, 2008 of complications from cancer and Alzheimer's. She was born September 25, 1919 in Nashville, NC, daughter of the late Joseph D. and Cleo Griffin Dickens. She married C.C. Dawson in 1939 and moved to Winston-Salem in 1950 where she began work at the original family owned Walker's Florist on Poplar Street. In 1955 she bought full ownership of Bo-Ty Florist where she worked for the next 40 years building the business into a successful and well respected enterprise, which is now the oldest Winston-Salem florist. Retiring in 1993, Mrs. Dawson passed her enthusiasm and love of flowers on to the next generation. After retirement she spent the next 10 years working diligently to create an English Garden setting in her backyard. Her garden grew to become quite an attraction for many neighbors on their seasonal walks and was featured in the garden section of the Winston-Salem Journal in 2004. Mrs. Dawson was active in the North Carolina State Florist Association and worked behind the scenes on committees from programming for conventions to by-laws and membership. She was named Florist of the Year in 1994 and was made an Honorary Life Member the same year. She was also a member of the Southern Retail Association, was a selected member of Florist's Transworld Delivery in 1965 and held positions of director and board member in many facets of the floral industry. She served as a resource and inspiration to all who knew her and was well-known and respected throughout North Carolina for her integrity and dedication to the floral industry. Mrs. Dawson was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where she was active and faithful until the onset of her illness. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank W., Jody Emmett, John W. and Henry Lee Dickens; as well as her husband, Cyrus Colon Dawson; and her sister, Madelyn D. Dawson. She is survived by her son, Kenneth C. Dawson and his fianc郩, Betsy Clark, along with a foster daughter, Nancy Lawhern; nieces, Sybil D. Walker and Jane D. Dutton; nephews, Thomas A. Dickens and Fred W. Dickens; and a daughter in heart, Glenna Dawson Smith; as well as many past and present staff members of Bo-Ty who loved and respected her. Her legacy will live on in the influence she had on the florist industry and in particular the business that she led for 40 years. Flowers would be appreciated, or friends can make a donation to the charity of their choice. The family would like to give special thanks to the team from Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Lois Hash, Cora Healey-Moren, Sharon Vineyard and Rene Eubanks, who provided such kind and loving care to Anna during her illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 26 at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Guy Hipp officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hills Cemetery in Nashville, N.C. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 25 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.

Memorials:
Charity of the donor's choice

Cemetery:
Forest Hills Cemetery

Service:
Service at 10:30am on September 26, 2008 at Calvary Baptist Church