Ollie Dyson went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home at the age of 100.

In 1942, he was called to serve his country in the U.S. Army. He was awarded three bronze stars for service in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre campaign during War World II. He was chosen to be a water purification specialist during the integration of U.S. Army. In addition, he was one of the original organizers of the American Legion Otis Burris Post No. 0537. After 64 years of membership, he was the last living WWII veteran for this post.

After being awarded an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945, he used his vocation training as a tailor to own and operate Dyson’s Cleaners for many years. He closed Dyson’s Cleaners to become the first African-American to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Franklinton. He retired from the Postal Service in 1980 and became a fulltime “Pawpaw.”

“Daddy Ollie” leaves to celebrate his life the children he reared, Cutis D. Jackson Sr. of Long Beach, Calif., Toni J. (Donald) Jack of New Orleans, Curtis D. (Olga) Jackson Jr. of Franklinton and Dr. Jason S. (Maleeka) Eaglin of Atlanta, Ga.; a special niece, Myrtle (Walter) Dyson Johnson of Franklinton; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, James Langston Dyson.

The visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 18 at Sweet Home Church of Christ Holiness from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., followed by the funeral at 2 p.m., with Rev. Washington Drake, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Sweet Home Cemetery.

Please sign the guestbook at www.crainandsons.com.