Dawn Adell Hales Craig entered this life on August 25, 1944, in Warren, Ohio, the oldest child of Mary Magnolia Greene and Webster Mitchell Hales.
The family moved to New Kensington, Pennsylvania where Dawn accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She was a faithful and devoted member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania.
Dawn attended First Ward Elementary School, Ridge Avenue Junior High School and graduated from New Kensington High School. Following graduation, she studied at New Kensington Commercial School which prepared her for an outstanding business and administrative career.
She moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1963 and began working for the federal government. She was presented with numerous awards and honors; and named outstanding employee of the year in various fiduciary positions. Her esteemed career with the federal government led her to Atlanta, Georgia, where she resided for fifteen (15) years.
In 1980, Dawn was united in marriage to James Craig from Atlanta, Georgia. Their marriage was filled with love and adventure. James departed this life after 10 years of marriage.
In 1995, Dawn moved back to Cleveland, where she retired from the federal government after thirty-nine (39) years of service. She then began a new career working, part-time, as a civil service employee at The American Federation of Government Employees (A.F.G.E.) Local 3283. As an Office Administrator, she was devoted to standing up for workplace and bargaining rights for government union employees. Her devotion and allegiance to labor unions was recognized on November 15, 2018, when she was presented with the Unsung Hero of the Labor Movement award from the A.F.G.E. Local 3283 organization.
Dawn was always ready to lend a helping hand. Each year she worked tirelessly, supporting her uncle in the Convention Department for the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North America and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. and the United Supreme Council, 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation.
Ms. Craig was a world traveler. She enjoyed visiting new lands and exploring diverse cultures through her work, and with social groups and family. Her travel adventures spanned the globe by plane, train, and ship. She visited the West Indies, Germany, Hawaii, and Alaska, to name a few.
Her travels led her to become a connoisseur of 14K, 24K, and 18K gold jewelry. She had beautiful gold necklaces, bracelets, and rings from around the world.
Dawn’s favorite pastimes were reading and playing cards. She had over 500 books in her collection. She was the family “cut-up” and a quick wit. She loved and encouraged her two brothers, Corvette and Mark, and her sister, Toni, along with scores of family members and friends. Her most cherished times were doting on her cousins, nephews, nieces, and especially her grandnephews.
Dawn entered into final rest on September 29, 2022, at the age of 78, in Cleveland, Ohio. She now joins her parents and leaves to mourn her brothers, Corvette Hales and Mark Garner (Rhonda); sister, Toni Brown; niece, Yasmin Ray; nephews, Christopher (Amber) and Jordan Garner; Justice Ray and Corvette Ray-Williams; and a host of cousins, beloved relatives, and friends.
Dawn will forever be remembered for her generosity and positive spirit. Rest with God, Dawn. You will always be loved and adored by your family and friends.
Humbly submitted,
The Family