Berniece Dawson Lemmons was born on April 20, 1919, the fifth child to Cliff and Nondus Dawson, in her beloved Ford, Kansas. She grew up and went to school in that small, friendly town during the Great Depression and dust bowl days. Although those days were tough, they were filled with good times with not only friends, but numerous cousins. She graduated from Ford High School at age 18 and traveled by train to Washington DC where she worked in the office of the adjutant general of the U.S. Army for which she was paid about $100 per month. She soon became homesick and returned home and worked at a military facility in Dodge City, Kansas. She later attended Bethany Peniel College, now SNU, where in 1952 she was hired as secretary to President Oscar J Finch. When Dr Finch left BPC she remained as secretary to Dr Roy Cantrell. On October 11, 1947, Berniece married Roy Lemmons at Oklahoma City First Church with R.T. Williams, Jr. officiating . They were members of OKC First Church. In 1952, after many years at SNU she changed her career path and went to work for the Oklahoma Military District Army Reserve in downtown Oklahoma City where she cut orders for reservists being sent to schools across the nation to receive training for active duty. She then transferred to FAA in the officers section. It was her responsibility to research the flying history of pilots. Every pilot in the nation had to be licensed through that department. She was instrumental in doing sufficient research of one pilot to not only prevent his failing to get an upgrade, but a loss of license. She retired from FAA and e very year at FAA Berniece received their outstanding performance rating. She loved entertaining so when her hours were no longer spent at her desk, she started entertaining more, which she loved. She was so good at planning and preparing big dinners for as many family and friends as her dining room could possibly accommodate. Her menus varied widely; waffle suppers, soup suppers, fried chicken, chicken and noodles and brisket dinners. Occasionally, while fixing dinner, a catastrophe would occur. She once said, "People don't come to my house for the food, they come for the show", which was typical of her dry wit. Berniece had no children but adopted all her nieces and nephews as her own, all of whom she loved dearly. She was always concerned about their well being. She showered them with gifts she thought they needed, but they rarely knew they needed. And once in a while it would be something they not only didn't need, but didn't want. For the last few years prior her death she lived in an assisted living facility where she was surrounded by her grandmother's 100-year old china cabinet and several curio cabinets filled to capacity with a collection of beautiful figurines and spectacularly beautiful and unusual cups and saucers received as gifts and purchased across the nation, as well as three Tiffany lamps. When Beanie was forced to slow down from a lifetime of uncanny physical strength and energy, her pastime was keeping up on the latest news through her favorite news channel, Fox News. As her parents before her, she always wanted to , and did , know what was going on across the world, the state and her adopted Oklahoma City. She had her own definite opinion about any bit of news she heard. Until about a year ago she spent much time on her computer, not only emailing friends and family, but researching whatever subject came to her mind. The latest love of her life was a beautiful little Chihuahua named Izzy. She and Izzy became as good a friends as any dog and its owner ever shared~~~~ an authentic companionship. She was 96 years old but planned as if she were going to live forever. When her sister, Eileen , was there on Tuesday, Beanie mentioned about getting a power chair so she could maneuver around better on the carpet in her apartment. That was all a part of her optimism. There has been no other live their lives for others more than she. It rendered her great satisfaction to spoil all of us. She spent her waking hours wondering what she could do, and for whom. I'm sure, for that, she is now collecting her reward. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cliff and Nondus Dawson , and five siblings, Clyde Dawson, Pearle Cramm Rush, Vernon Dawson, Dorothy Close and Paul Dawson, as well as their spouses who she thought of as siblings. Although most of her siblings and friends are gone, she leaves behind many nieces and nephews for whom she actually lived. She loved them with a love that no other aunt could match. She will be remembered for her generosity and caring spirit. Berniece leaves all of us with a hole in all our hearts, but we know she is in a much better place where she now has new legs and renewed hearing. She has traded her wheelchair for new dancing shoes, and because she now hears the music so clearly, is now dancing with the angels on streets of gold . I know her dad, mom and siblings were so glad to welcome her home. How could we ever wish her back Memorial Service Saturday, August 22, 2015 10:00 AM Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, Chapel in the Round 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008