Jeffrey Dawson

Mr. Jeffrey Lynn Dawson of Newport departed this life resulting from a common accident that occurred in Fair Oaks with his mother, Brenda Carolene Johnson Dawson, on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. He was 42 years old. Jeff was born September 11, 1973, in Jonesboro, the son of Ben Eugene Dawson, Jr. and Brenda Carolene Johnson Dawson. He was a 1991 graduate of Newport High School. Following high school, Jeff attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, graduating with a degree in history. He later became a licensed massage therapist. Jeff was currently working alongside his mother as a crop inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jeff was naturally a quiet and introspective man. He was an avid reader and science fiction fan. Jeff also was quite the "Movie Buff" and was very skilled at most video games. He shared many things in common with his mother, especially their love of animals and their penchant for always caring for other's before themselves. Jeff operated on the strict premise that "If you didn't like dogs and dogs didn't like you, then he didn't like you!" He had great love of animals, which is evidenced by the many stray cats he fed and by his three dogs, Rusty, Dusty, and Fred and two cats, Daisy and Rose. His love and devotion to family was evident by the way he was the primary caregiver for his maternal grandparents, Oscar and Opal Johnson, and his father, Ben. When their health began to decline, Jeff was the one who stepped up and lovingly and willingly cared for them all prior to their death. Jeff quite simply was the finest kind of man. This very close knit family will forever treasure the kind hearted and gentle soul known to them as their precious brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. His mother survived him, for just a few short moments. Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Ben Eugene Dawson, Jr.; his maternal grandparents, David Oscar Johnson and Opal Cruse Johnson; his paternal grandparents, Ben Eugene Johnson, Sr. and Thelma Lee White Dawson; one aunt, Peggy Lou Couch; and one uncle, Eugene Johnson. He is survived by his brother, Dudley E. Dawson and wife, Petra, of Springdale; four nieces and nephews, Lindsey Dawson of Springdale, Brooks Dawson of Nashville, Tennessee, Camille Bowen of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Bennett Bowen of Springdale; four aunts, Joann McCully of Newport, Beatrice Madden of Greers Ferry, Shirley Mann of Newport, and Cherry Johnson of Little Rock; two uncles, Alfred Couch and Ken Madden, Sr. of Newport; cousins, David Couch, Joy Couch Abell, Tommy Johnson, Brian Prince, Shane Prince, Ken Madden, Darlene Madden, Donnie Mann, Ronnie Mann, and Bobby Mann. Friends may visit at the funeral home, Thursday, December 17, 2015, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services for Jeff and Brenda will be held Friday, December 18, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Holden Avenue Church of Christ. Interment will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Brian Prince, Shane Prince, Kevin Benson, Jed Abell, Joey Lowery, and Conner Prince. To sign the online guest register, leave a message of condolence, or light a memorial candle, please visit our website at www.jacksonsfh.com. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home.