- Date Of Birth: November 19, 1922
- Date Of Death: April 28, 2019
- State: Utah
VERLA SIMPSON DAWSON
November 19, 1922 – April 28, 2019
Verla Simpson Dawson, of Roy, passed away peacefully April 28, 2019, at the age of 96 years and 5 months. She was the wife of Joseph Dawson, who died in December 2013.
She was the devoted mother of six children, a homemaker, and a church leader.
Verla was born November 19, 1922 at home in Syracuse, Utah, the daughter of Edith Elizabeth Hardy Simpson and John George Simpson. She was the second daughter and the fifth
in a line of ten children, consisting of three sisters and seven brothers. With her death there survives from that family only the youngest sister, Mary Lou Hammer.
Verla was raised by her mother and father with her brothers and sisters on a dairy farm in Syracuse, Utah.
Verla married Joseph Dawson in the Salt Lake Temple on January 21, 1942, at barely 19 years of age. They were to have six children, consisting first, of three sons: Kent J. Dawson, Gary J. Dawson, and Michael J. Dawson; then, a daughter: Marsha D. Rose; and finally, two more sons: John E. Dawson, and Bruce L. Dawson. She also had, at her death, ten surviving
grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, with 2 (and counting) great-great-grandchildren. A grandson, Brooks G. Dawson, was killed in an automobile accident in 2001.
Verla and Joseph lived their entire married life of almost 72 years in four different houses on 4800 South Street in Roy, always running fruit orchards. Verla was an integral part of the
fruit business, personally selling thousands of bushels of apples, pears, and peaches from the driveway of her home. She also hand-sorted truckloads of cherries, pears and apples in many seasons.
Verla guided her family with her intelligence, simple wisdom, work ethic, and example that were always obvious to all who knew her. The good health enjoyed by her husband and
children were a direct outcome of the good and nutritious meals she lovingly prepared for the family.
Verla was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
