Mr. Jerry W Dawson, 83, of Hartwell, GA passed away Thursday, April 16 in Alpharetta GA.

Born on September 18, 1942, in Dunn, NC, Mr. Dawson was the son of the late Jessie Louise Houston and Virgil Penn Dawson. He graduated from Sumner High School, Greensboro, NC in 1960, president of his senior class. He continued his education at Guilford College in Greensboro.

After college, Mr. Dawson began a banking career with North Carolina National Bank in Greensboro, then Charlotte, NC. In 1979 he joined C&S Bank in Atlanta. After several mergers, He retired from Bank of America as Executive Vice President with over 30 years of service. He then joined Reliance Trust Co. in Atlanta, serving as Executive Vice President and Principal Officer of Finance and Administration.

Before and after retirement, Mr. Dawson made his home on Lake Hartwell, as boating and lake living was always favored. He also loved beach time at Pawleys Island, SC and mountain time at Sugar Mountain, NC. In Hartwell, Mr. Dawson was a past member of the Hartwell Rotary Club, and served as Chairman of Board of Directors of Bell Family YMCA.

Mr. Dawson is survived by his wife Grace Kirk Dawson, two children, daughter Jennifer Meehan (husband Matt) and son Matthew Kirk Dawson (wife Lisa), five grandchildren, Lucas Meehan, Mason Meehan, Dylan Meehan, Maddux Dawson and Charlotte Dawson. Also surviving are brother Donnie Dawson (Barbara) of Greensboro NC and sister Sandy Dawson Luney (Derek) of Hickory NC.

Mr. Dawson was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ronnie Dawson.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Affinity Hospice of Marietta, GA for their professional and caring services. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 11:00 am at Coile and Hall Funeral Directors Chapel, 333 E. Johnson Street, Hartwell Georgia 30643. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bell Family YMCA, 281 Opal Street Ext, Hartwell, GA, 30643 or Hart County Humane Society, PO Box 1062, Hartwell GA 30643

Services have been entrusted to Coile and Hall Funeral Directors and Crematory of 333 E. Johnson Street, Hartwell, GA.