Fannie Mae Dawson

Fannie Mae Dawson, of Midland, Texas, passed away peacefully and went home to be with the Lord on July 21, 2026, at the age of 95. Mae was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and respected member of the Midland community. She was a 5th-generation Texan and the first-born of five children to Rachel Louise White and Thomas Dee White of Midland, Texas. She attended Midland Public Schools and graduated from Midland High School in 1949, where she was the captain of the drill team. She often recalled marching many miles in those days-through the West Texas sandstorms and sleet. Mae married Kenneth Ray Dawson on December 29, 1950. They lived in Jayton and Abilene, Texas, before moving to Midland in 1954. She supported his professional career as a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industry. She was supportive and by his side with his involvement and dedicated volunteer service of 23 years to the Texas National Guard and Reserve and the United States Department of Defense, for which he earned many awards of achievement and service. Through her consistent support, Ken was commissioned Brigadier General with the Texas Military in 1983. Mae and Ken had four children: Debra, Joe, Jim, and Jamie. Together they were active volunteers in the local and state Republican Party. Mae and Ken were lifelong members of the First Baptist Church of Midland. Their shared service and dedication to God, Family, Country, and Community were the glue in their marriage of 55 years, until his passing in 2005. Mae's unmatched gift of creativity and sewing emerged at the early age of 12 when she began her lifelong career with a special opportunity to be the seamstress for Bonnie Greathouse. She also held other jobs working at the original Midland Walgreens and served as a ticket taker/usher at the Howard Hodge Theater and the Ritz and Yucca Theaters. No doubt, serving and leading others, sewing, and her passion for theatre were developed at a very young age. The opportunity to fully pursue her gifts came when Art Cole, Director Emeritus of the Midland Community Theatre, invited her to assist with the 1955 Summer Mummers. She accepted and built the entire show. Counting volunteer time leading up to her employment in 1966, she was with the Midland Community Theatre, serving as a costume designer and seamstress for 41 years, retiring in 1996. She was deeply admired and adored and will be remembered as one of the finest costume designers in the State of Texas through her long association with MCT. In 1993, the Midland Reporter-Telegram profiled Mae at her sewing machine, describing how she transformed vintage clothing into stage costumes such as Arsenic and Old Lace. The interview highlighted the importance she placed not only on her impeccable craftsmanship but also on the importance of her work in helping MCT stage historically accurate productions through her research and transformative talent. Mae established, built, and cared for MCT's extensive costume collection, much of which came from community donations and other sources. She also managed a substantial costume operating budget for a theatre of MCT's size. Mae crafted costumes for twelve to twenty-two productions a year and worked with the Pickwick Players youth productions and the Summer Mummers. In addition to her service to the Midland Community Theatre, she was involved in the Friends of the Library, received a citation of valor for her service with the United Way of Midland, Inc., Midland County Historical Society, and Midland Republican Women's Club. As one of the founding members, she held many leadership roles in the Midland Opera Guild. Mae was a gifted artist, and her preferred medium was oil painting. In her earlier years she created many remarkable works depicting West Texas oil wells, the vast open landscapes of early West Texas, cattle ranches, and much more. In 1971 she and Ken spent a brief time in Brazil while Ken worked on an offshore drilling site. She took art classes and enjoyed creating many beautiful Brazilian-themed paintings. Mae had many gifted talents, and playing pieces such as Clair de Lune on the piano was another one. And Mae's cooking from scratch for family and friends was another form of her remarkable love language. Ken would often invite his friends over for a game of cards or dominoes unexpectedly. After a long day at work, Mae would cook a complete meal including an apple pie all in under an hour. She did this countless times, and it never ceased to amaze the people who witnessed it. Her family will always reminisce on the fabulous and incredible holiday feasts she would spend a week preparing. She always made sure she prepared everyone's favorite dessert, and often it was almost a dozen homemade crusted pies and cakes on the dessert table. She began her day with a pot of coffee, and at four o'clock she would brew another to carry her through the remainder of her day. Her family will truly miss their beloved Mae "Mamaw." She left her family a legacy of unwavering love and devotion to faith and family. Her strength, faith in God, and gifted hands have provided inspiration and memories the family and community will always treasure and keep deep in their hearts. Mae was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Kenneth Ray Dawson; her daughter, Debra Owen; her son, Joe Dawson; and her brothers, Tommy White, Richard White, and James White. She is survived by her sister, Doris Williams of San Angelo, and her husband Bob; sister-in-law Trina White; son, Jim Dawson of Midland; daughter, Jamie Crawford of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; daughter-in-law, Lori Dawson of Midland, Texas; grandchildren Jeremy Dawson of Alpine, Texas, Brian Owen and his wife Emily, Ashley Hall of Cleburne, Texas, Amy Lucero, Michael Dawson and his wife Lauren of Midland, Texas, Ryan Dawson of Houston, Texas, Nicole Hartnell of Nova Scotia, Canada, Jessica Crawford and Carrie Crawford of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Anthony Crawford of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Brende Briscoe of Joshua, Texas; 20 great-grandchildren, and many loved nieces and nephews. Funeral services are under the direction of American Heritage Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Midland. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the First Baptist Church or the Midland Community Theatre.

Tributes

Fannie Mae Dawson

October 13, 1930 - July 21, 2026