Teresa Carol Umfress Dawson

Teresa Carol Umfress Dawson gracefully passed into the loving presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 22, 2026. Born May 1, 1954, to Samuel Lamar and Ollie Mae Umfress, her life was defined by her faith in God and her love of Jesus. Teresa was a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother who considered her family her greatest earthly treasure.

Teresa married Kim Dawson on December 29, 1973, and remained by his side, and he by hers, until her last breath. Their marriage was marked by a shared faith and an unwavering dedication to the Lord and to one another through every season of joy and sorrow. Their sons were raised in a home where a Godly marriage was modeled, and love was abundant. She considered her children and grandchildren her most beloved accomplishments and living proof that God answers prayer.

She spent 43 years providing care and compassion to those in need as a nurse, and later passed on her knowledge and skill to the next generation as a nursing instructor at Blue Mountain College. Teresa had a heart for service that extended far beyond her profession. She dedicated her time and gifts to sharing her love of God through teaching and mentoring at Tishomingo Baptist Church and through her work at Baptist Memorial hospitals in Memphis, Booneville, and UNA. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched during her time on Earth.

Teresa is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Kim Dawson; her sons and daughters-in-love Shane (Jenny) and Jarod (Beth); four granddaughters — Carrigan, Zoe, Hailey, and Rachel; siblings Sherrel Umfress (Cindy), Sandra Watkins (Frank), Sam Umfress (Janel), and Angie Langley (Paul); her mother-in-law, Ruth Dawson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lamar and Ollie Umfress; her father-in-law, Chester Dawson; and beloved aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS, is entrusted with the final arrangements.

Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Tishomingo Baptist Church. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m., with the service beginning at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Bro. Rusty Fair. Pallbearers include Jon Wadkins, Harper Umfress, Billy Senn, Bryer Mayo, Gavin Crocker, Brad Nelms, Cody Langley, Harry Bowman, Tracey Holeman, and Brad Daniel. Honorary pallbearers include Bobby Conway, Ron Coleman, Earl McAnally, David Fritts, and Ed Senn. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery.

An online guestbook may be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family wishes to thank the North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice team for their compassion and care, her church family for their faithful prayers and comfort, and the many friends and loved ones who surrounded this family with love through this difficult time. So many things can be said of a life well-lived that there isn’t enough paper on which to record them all.

Teresa provided a legacy of humble service to God that will live on long past her time on this Earth. Those of us who remain rejoice in knowing we will meet her again in Glory, as promised in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14:

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.”