Ruth E. Dawson

RUTH ELAINE DODRILL DAWSON, age 77, passed away unexpectedly on February 6, 2010 at the Florida Hospital Altamonte, Orlando FL. She was a loving wife and mother. She was born April 5, 1932 in Booth WV, daughter of the late Delbert C and Georgia Nay Dodrill. She graduated Morgantown High School in 1950. In April 1951, Ruth was given in marriage to Roscoe P. Dawson. In 1954 she began working as a telephone operator in her family’s business, West Side Telephone Company, having been purchased in 1945 by her father and an Uncle Cecil Dodrill. She went on to become the manager and majority stockholder of the company. Being extremely diverse in her accomplishments she managed the finances of the corporation and in 1980, she was formally trained and certified to operate the central office digital switching equipment. She was a longtime member of the West Virginia Telephone Association and served a multiple terms as president. In 2000, after 46 years in the telecommunications industry, she retired as the President of West Side Telecommunications. She was a faithful member of the Cyprus Grove Fellowship Church of Orlando FL, as well as, a lifelong member of the Riverside Apostolic Church in Morgantown WV where she served as a choir leader and church secretary along with being an accomplished organist and accordion player. However, those were only a few of her numerous offerings given in her service to Christ. During her three children’s formative years she served as the President of the local PTA and was an active role model for her children, who later became managers in the family business. Survived by her dedicated and loving husband of 59 years, Roscoe Dawson, son Michael Dawson and wife Darlene, all of Morgantown WV, Daughter Mary Seymour of Fairmont WV, Grandchildren Jason Jackson, Kenneth (Harley) Jackson Jr. and wife Jennifer, Stephanie Jackson, all of Morgantown WV, and Amanda Seymour of Orlando Fl; great grandchildren Troy Jackson, of Summersville WV, Hailey Jackson, Lainey Sue Jackson, and Christian Schnopp all of Morgantown WV. Sister Annalee Oxley of Huntington WV. Niece Debbie Bryant of Woodbury TN. Nephews Robert Dodrill of Orlando FL, and Stephen Oxley of Bahama NC. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by, two brothers Denver and Roscoe Dodrill, an infant brother, and her eldest daughter, Susan Jackson.Friends may call at the Riverside Apostolic Church Monday Feb. 15 from 3-5 and 7-9pm and again on Tuesday Feb. 16 from 10am until 12pm. Funeral services will be held at 1pm with Pastor David M. Hudson officiating. Burial will follow at the Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations can be made to Haiti Relief c/o Cypress Grove Fellowship PO Box 59235 Orlando, FL 32859. Checks made payable to Cypress Grove Fellowship memo: Haiti Relief