Alta E. Dawson, 92, of Anacortes, was received into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Dec. 2, 2006 at San Juan Rehabilitation and Care Center in Anacortes. She was born on June 28, 1914, in Yakima, the daughter of Everett and Grace (Melott) Anderson. At the age of nine her family moved to Hartford, near Lake Stevens. She attended elementary schools in Yakima and Lake Stevens. Prior to becoming a teen, her parents separated, and being the second of seven children, she helped raise her siblings. She moved to Everett at about age 25. During her 20-year waitressing career in Everett, which she thoroughly loved and was very good at, she met Jimmy Dawson and they were married about two years later. They were married, Sept. 13, 1958 in Port Angeles where they managed a motel. They later moved to their beloved five-acre farm in Marysville where they were busy with fruit trees, vegetables, cows and chickens. They moved to Anacortes about ten years ago. Alta especially enjoyed cooking, Bible reading, caring for missionaries, flowers, gardening and dogs. She is the mother of two sons, David and Ernie (deceased). Her husband of nearly 48 years, James M Dawson, died August 2, 2006, at the age of nearly 101. Since his passing, and while she longed to be reunited with Jimmy in Heaven, she resided at San Juan Care Center.

The Dawsons were members of Bible Baptist churches in Everett, Oak Harbor and, currently at Mount Vernon, where they have had many wonderful friends over the years. Although quiet, Alta was a very kind and compassionate lady, always ready with a warm and pretty smile. She was always of a positive mindset and looked forward to her heavenly home. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Ernest; a brother, Fred; and a sister, Loretta Bell.

Her survivors include David Johnson, son, Des Moines; Emery Anderson, brother, Yuma, Ariz.; Helen Clatt, sister, Everett; Arlie (Buz) Anderson, brother, Yuma; and Grace Albriktsen, sister, Everett.

A celebration of Alta’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Bible Baptist Church, 16946 State Route 536, Mount Vernon. There will be a graveside service to follow at Fernhill Cemetery, 7427 State Route 20, Anacortes. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc. Share memories of Alta and sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com