James Dewitt Dawson

James Dewitt Dawson, age 72, of Lexington, South Carolina, was called to his eternal rest on May 6, 2024, at his residence with his wife and his niece present.

Dewitt was born on January 13, 1952, in McBee, SC, to James Daniel (JD) and Naomi Ponds Dawson. Upon relocation to Peoria, IL, he met and married the great love of his life, Nancy Thomas Dawson. Their union was a unique love story unlike any other. Although they met late in life, they enjoyed 22 years of friendship, love, and marriage.

James served in the Army at a very early age and received an Honorable Discharge prior to turning age 21. On August 11, 1984, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Mr. Dawson was the Owner/Operator of Style Care, Inc. He began the business in 1987 with silent partner Thurman Pate. The first location was in McBee, then later moved to Hartsville. The business provided employment for his sister, Retha Robinson and his good friend and brother-in-law, Don Robinson, Sr. Together they successfully remained in business for 10 years. It was a dream come true for him and one of his proudest accomplishments.

James Dewitt was employed with Walmart for 26 years. He held several different management positions in several different locations such as South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and lastly in Illinois. He always believed the Illinois move with Walmart was the vehicle GOD used to position him to meet, fall in love, and eventually marry his soulmate.

James Dewitt, JD, or Stevie, whichever name he was known by, was a beautiful man of great faith and unconditional love for his family and friends. If you knew him, you liked him and welcomed any opportunity to engage with him. He was kind, thoughtful, respectful, loved people and loved laughter. Those who knew him will never forget him because he was a rare gem who lived with integrity, class, humor, and kindness. His infectious smile was only a small part of his charm.

He was an amazing husband to Nancy, a loving father to Crasha, a loyal brother to his siblings, and the fun uncle who loved spending time with his nieces and nephews. He loved the family gatherings, the celebrations, the food, and his purpose for returning to South Carolina in 2014, was to spend quality time with his siblings whom he loved so dearly.

He served as a Deacon at Galilee Baptist Church in his hometown of McBee, and later as a Deacon at St. Paul Baptist Church in Peoria, Il. Upon returning to live in Lexington, SC, he volunteered with the Lexington Police Department as a Volunteer in Police Services for 8 years before becoming ill. James also served on the Advisory Committee for the town of Lexington for 3 years. He also served 3 different terms on Lexington Heights HOA board, his last term as President. He was just not one to sit on the sideline.

James Dewitt leaves to cherish his most precious memories: his loving and devoted wife of 22 years, Nancy Dawson of Lexington, SC; his only daughter, Crasha Dawson, of Columbia, SC; sisters: Retha (Don) Robinson, Phyllis (Sam) Phillips, Patty Jefferson, all of McBee, SC, Dorothy (Roosevelt) Demory of Baltimore, MD, and Chery Teal of Wadesboro, NC; one brother, Donald Lee (Doretha) Dawson of Angelus, SC.

In addition to his biological family, he has two stepsons: David (Deborah) Burns of Mansfield, TX, and Nathan (Danielle) Thomas of Peoria, IL, and four grandchildren who all loved him dearly, and many, many other friends and family across the county.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers” JW Ponds, James Teal, and Arriak Teal.