Carlos “LaDon” Dawson

Carlos LaDon Dawson was born on Jan. 14, 1949, and passed from his earthly dwelling on Aug. 30, 2021, at the age of 72.
LaDon was raised as a missionary kid. Being a product of a missionary family and knowing how they struggled through his childhood, he declared he would never be a preacher, much less a missionary! However, when God got hold of him and shook him up a bit over a sideless, single-lane bridge, an old 1959 Ford Galaxy 500 convertible, and a God-fearing sermon, he changed his ideas and views about why God needed him. After these encounters, his life changed forevermore. He gave all he had—his soul his very being, his everything—to Jesus!
Being in ministry for 52 years brought urgency to his message. Every year, he knew he was closer to Heaven, and every sermon was spent trying to direct people to the road map to Heaven. LaDon pastored various churches from 1970-present. He spent seven years as director of missions in Belize and Jamaica. He served as General Conference president of the Methodist Protestant denomination for 13 years, as well as editor of the “Methodist Protestant Faith” for several years. He also served in various capacities for the Mississippi Annual Conference, including presidency.
LaDon’s last eight years was spent as senior pastor at Crosspoint Church and administrator at Crosspoint Daycare in Vicksburg. Boy did he love the babies at the daycare. He would beam with pride when they would approach him, some even calling him “Papaw.”
LaDon loved to piddle on his tractor and his mule. Mainly, he loved having something that made the grandkids happy. But occasionally, he would get on his tractor, and it made him happy to push some dirt around while spending time alone with the Lord. He loved to sing and preach God’s word. He loved old cars. He also loved working in his garden, even on the mission field in Belize he always had a plantation. He loved food, trying new entrees, and there was hardly any he did not like. He loved people and never met a stranger. He loved spending time with his family.
He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Every phone call began with, “When are you going to come see me?” He was proud of each and every one, and was not afraid to brag on their accomplishments. He wanted to be a part of every important event in their life that he could possibly attend whether ball games, recitals, graduations, etc.
Most of all, he loved his wife of almost 52 years, Darlene. He loved to pick with her and give her a hard time, but he would do anything in the world for her. Sparks have been flying between them since early teens. Even in college, they took advantage of every chance to be together, traveling in the same singing group at Whitworth. Their relationship was one admired by so many because they always put God first and trusted that everything else would fall into place. He loved our mom with such admiration that every time she walked in the room, he greeted her with, “Hey, good looking!” Their dream was to retire in their home in Brooklyn.
He was the patriarch of the family and led a wonderful, Godly example for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who knew him to follow. Every decision made by him was well thought out. His goal in life was to spiritually mentor people, and it is it evident to all who knew him that he did that very well.
He is survived by his wife, Rosa Darlene Dawson; four children, Michelle Simon and husband Jason, Carlos Dawson and wife Maggie, Frank Dawson and wife Ashley, and Andrea Fortenberry and husband Robert; one sister, Elsie Rutherford and husband Denny; two brothers, Paul Dawson and wife Chasity, and Bobby Dawson and wife Lisa; 18 grandchildren, Julia Stevison and husband Jared, Rosa Burge and husband Cameron, Callie Fortenberry and fiancé Hunter Sutton, Isabella Dawson, Daley Dawson, Cody Simon, Kyle Simon, Kaylee Hoeft, Gin Fortenberry, Kara Simon, Lea Hoeft, Olivia Dawson, Independence Hutto, Candalynn Dawson, Matthew Dawson, Wyatt Fortenberry, and Timothy Dawson; and two great-grandchildren, Bryce Burge and Maggie Burge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther Carlos Dawson and Eva Miller Dawson; as well as his brother, Dickie Wren Dawson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Crosspoint Church, 510 Porters Chapel Rd., Vicksburg, MS 39180.