lida collier dawson
1882-1917
Life Story
Early Life in Newton County
Lida Collier Dawson was born in August 1882 in Newton County, Mississippi. She was the eldest daughter of Patrick “Pat” Collier and Laura Black Collier and grew up in the Lawrence community of Beat 4, where her family established deep roots through farming, faith, and community involvement.
Raised in a large household filled with brothers and sisters, Lida came of age during a period when educational opportunities for African Americans remained limited throughout the South. Despite those obstacles, she learned to read and write and distinguished herself as one of the more educated young women in her community.
The 1900 census records Lida as a literate seventeen-year-old living with her parents and siblings on the family farm. Her education opened doors that were unavailable to many Black women of her generation and positioned her for a career that would make a lasting impact on the Lawrence community.
A Young Teacher in Rural Mississippi
By the turn of the twentieth century, Lida had become a schoolteacher.
Her occupation placed her among a relatively small group of African American women who served as educators in rural Mississippi during the post-Reconstruction era. Black teachers often worked with limited resources, short school terms, and inadequate facilities, yet they played a critical role in advancing literacy and educational opportunity within their communities.
Teaching represented more than employment—it was an act of community leadership. Through her work, Lida helped provide educational opportunities for children growing up in the same rural environment that had shaped her own life.
Her service as a teacher reflects the value her family placed upon education and the determination of Black communities to create opportunities for future generations despite segregation and unequal funding.
Marriage and Family Life
At some point during the early twentieth century, Lida married George Dawson, whose surname was occasionally recorded in official records as Dodson or Dowson.
The couple established their home in the Lawrence community, remaining close to the families and neighbors who had known them since childhood.
As was common for many married women of the era, Lida gradually shifted her focus from teaching to managing her household and preparing for motherhood. Yet the literacy, discipline, and leadership skills she developed as an educator remained an important part of her identity.
The Tragedy of 1917
The summer of 1917 brought devastating loss to the Dawson family.
On July 20, 1917, Lida gave birth to a stillborn daughter in Lawrence. The child was buried the following day in the local cemetery, with arrangements handled by her brother, Edd Collier.
In the days that followed, Lida became seriously ill. According to her death certificate, she suffered from acute Bright’s disease, a serious kidney disorder that was often fatal during the early twentieth century. Dr. A. L. Monroe attended her during her final illness.
Despite medical care, her condition continued to worsen.
On July 25, 1917, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Lida Collier Dawson passed away at the age of thirty-four.
Her death came only five days after the loss of her infant daughter, creating a double tragedy for the Dawson and Collier families.
Burial
Lida was laid to rest on July 26, 1917, in the Lawrence Cemetery, known today as Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Lawrence, Mississippi.
The information for her death certificate was provided by Matt Nelson, preserving an official record of her life and death.
Mother and daughter were buried within days of one another, a heartbreaking reminder of the risks associated with childbirth and serious illness during an era when medical treatment remained limited, particularly in rural communities.
Legacy
Although her life was brief, Lida Collier Dawson left an enduring legacy through her commitment to education and her role within one of Lawrence’s prominent families.
As a teacher, she belonged to a generation of African American educators who helped build literacy and opportunity in rural Mississippi during the decades following Reconstruction. Her work contributed to the educational foundation upon which future generations would build.
Her story also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by women in the early twentieth century, when childbirth complications and serious illnesses claimed lives that might be saved today through modern medical care.
Today, Lida is remembered not only as a wife and mother, but also as an educator whose life reflected the resilience, determination, and aspirations of the Black community in Newton County. Though her years were few, her influence extended beyond the classroom and remains part of the enduring history of the Collier family and the Lawrence community.
Why This Matters
Lida’s story illustrates two important themes in African American history: the critical role of Black teachers in rural Southern communities and the high rates of maternal and infant mortality that affected families before modern medicine. Her life stands at the intersection of educational progress and personal sacrifice, reminding us of both the achievements and hardships experienced by Black women in the early twentieth century.
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi, Beat 4, household of Patrick Collier.
- 1910 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi, occupation listing for Lida Collier.
- Mississippi death certificate for infant daughter of George and Lida Dawson, July 1917, Newton County, Mississippi.
- Mississippi death certificate for Lida Collier Dawson, July 25, 1917, Newton County, Mississippi.
- Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery records, Lawrence, Newton County, Mississippi.
- Historical records concerning African American schools and teachers in Newton County, Mississippi, early twentieth century.
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