Brenda Carolene Johnson Dawson

Mrs. Brenda Carolene Johnson Dawson of Newport departed this life as a result of a common accident that occurred in Fair Oaks with her son, Jeffrey Lynn "Jeff" Dawson, on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. She was 72 years old. Brenda was born March 16, 1943, in Pennington, the daughter of David Oscar Johnson and Opal Beatrice Cruse Johnson. She was a 1960 graduate of Newport High School. Brenda was always first and foremost a mother, homemaker, and loving caregiver to her family and friends. In the early 1980's, Brenda began working at the ASCS office in Newport. She worked there for well over 25 years. Following her retirement from the ASCS office, Brenda's experience in agriculture led her to manage Dawson Agriculture, to work for the Shumate Farms, and to conduct crop inspections for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Brenda was the kind of woman who was genuinely interested in her community and was willing to give of her time to be an advocate for those who could not speak for themselves, by volunteering her time to serve on the Board of the Jackson County Learning Center. Brenda was active in politics and worked for Bill Clinton during his campaigns for Governor of Arkansas and President of the United States. Brenda knew everyone and was genuinely interested in everyone she met and their families. She never met a stranger. Brenda was a member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ. Her loving spirit was not limited to people. She had great love of animals which is evidenced by her three dogs she treated like children, Rusty, Dusty, and Fred and her two cats, Daisy and Rose. Brenda's greatest love and priority were her sons and grandchildren. Her love and devotion to family was evident. Putting others first was natural to Brenda. She loved with her whole heart and put her soul in to caring for those she loved. Brenda possessed a heart that always had room for one more person to love and her smile could light up a room and was a reflection of her happy and loving heart. Brenda has always been described as the nicest woman ever. This very close knit family and community will forever treasure the love and life of their precious Mother, Grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Brenda was preceded in death by a son, Jeffery Lynn "Jeff" Dawson on Tuesday, December 15, 2015; her parents David Oscar Johnson and Opal Beatrice Cruse Johnson; one sister, Peggy Lou Couch; and one brother, Eugene Johnson. She is survived by one son, Dudley E. Dawson and wife, Petra, of Springdale; four grandchildren, Lindsey Dawson of Springdale, Brooks Dawson of Nashville, Tennessee, Camille Bowen of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Bennett Bowen of Springdale; one sister, Joann McCully of Newport; one brother-in-law, Alfred Couch of Newport; one sister-in-law, Cherry Johnson of Little Rock; nieces and nephews, David Couch, Joy Couch Abell, Tommy Johnson, Brian Prince, Shane Prince, Ken Madden, Darlene Madden, Donnie Mann, Ronnie Mann, and Bobby Mann. Friends may visit at the funeral home, Thursday, December 17, 2015, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services for Brenda and Jeff will be held Friday, December 18, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Holden Avenue Church of Christ. Interment will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are David Couch, Tommy Johnson, Ken Madden, Wade Abell, James Mabry, and Charles Balentine. To sign the online guest register, leave a message of condolence, or light a memorial candle, please visit our website at www.jacksonsfh.com. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home.