Mrs. Lois Novella Summers Dawkins, 72, of 650 Salisbury Road, Statesville, N.C., was born in Iredell County on May 17, 1951, and was the daughter of the late Barney Summers and Doris Lee Reid Steele.

She was married to William Napolean Dawkins, who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and William, she was preceded in death by a brother, David “Shorty Brown” Mott; an aunt, Jewell McGregor; a grandmother who raised her, Novella Ophelia Stevenson; a niece, Meshia Howard; and a granddaughter, Lauryn Morrison.

She was a high school graduate and also attended Mitchell Community College, where she received her certification as a CNA. She was a devoted member of Shiloh AME Zion, Church serving as a member of the Choir, the Kitchen Committee, The Missionaries, and at one time served as Church Secretary, the Lay Council Secretary and a Vacation Bible School Teacher.

She leaves to cherish the memory of her life two sons, Anthony (Tanis) Dawkins of Statesville and Jodie (Whitney) Alexander of Hickory; two daughters, Ericka Dawkins (Charles) White of Statesville and Toni Dawkins (Barry Ross) Morrison of Statesville; her father, Henry B. Steele of Statesville; her fiance’ James Lackey of Statesville; two brothers, Henry V. (Delora) Steele of Hickory and Tony Steele of Statesville; two sisters, Saundra Summers of Statesville and Rosetta Smyre of Harmony; grandchildren, Khya (Israel) McCrorey, Ashanti (Lorenzo) Smith, Kaylan (Jamar) Anderson, Jordan Reid, Tyler Hines, Kamryn Morrison, Kyndle White, Karson Dawkins, Jakadence Alexander, Jaxson Alexander, and Jade Alexander; great grandchildren, Kyla Anderson, Josiah Riddick-Reid, Bryce Anderson, Karter McCrorey, Ileyah McCrorey, Toriano Smith and James Anthony Reid; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends,

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. at Shiloh AME Zion Church. Rev. Dr. Gainer will officiate and Rev. Jimmy Griffin will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in the Belmont Cemetery.

Mrs. Dawkins will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in repose at 2:30 p.m., but will assemble at the residence at other times. Members of the family will receive friends from 3 until 3:30 p.m.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Dawkins Family. Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. Dawkins at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.