iola L. Dawson, 85, of Hayti, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 28. 2004, at the Pemiscot Memorial Nursing Home in Hayti.

Born Nov. 13, 1918, in Braggadocio, Mo., daughter of the late Will Louis and Lillie Gertrude Bray Gallaher, she worked at Brown Shoe Co., Coleman Insurance Agency and Bernard Insurance Agency. She was a member of the Hayti First Baptist Church.

On Aug. 29, 1948, in Piggott, Ark., she married Willis "Bill" Dawson, who preceded her in death on Sept. 13, 1991. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Mib Gallaher and one sister, Ruby Blackwell.

Survivors include one sister, Louise Ottinger and husband, Robert, of Caruthersville, Mo.; one brother, Gene Gallaher and wife, Charlotte, of Huntsville, Ala.; two nieces, Susie Herbert, of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Gayle Novitske, of Garwood, Mo. and three nephews, Mike Blackwell, of Garwood, Edward Eugene Gallaher, of Voorhees, N.J. and Bill Gallaher, of Huntsville.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at the First Baptist Church in Hayti with Dr. Mike Melton and the Rev. Jim Pilcher officiating.

Burial was in the Woodlawn Cemetery at Hayti.

Pallbearers were W.T. Davidson, Phil Bowen, Allen Taylor, William Pate, Bob Inmon and Jim Brent.

John W. German Funeral Home of Hayti was in charge of arrangements.