Dr. Sharon Ann Dawson Southall

April 26, 1946 ~ September 7, 2023

Dr. Sharon Ann Dawson Southall lived a life filled with great joy and abundant blessings. She was born to Vivian Gurney Dawson and Ernest Carl Dawson on April 26, 1946 and grew up in Baker, LA. She met the love of her life, Oscar McLemore Southall, at Baker High School in 1962. They were married in 1969 and were blessed with two wonderful children, Oscar Kevin and Kristina Lyn.

The blessings continued when their two children married exceptional spouses, Heidi Louque Southall and Leonard Barry Howell, Jr. From these unions, we have experienced the greatest joy with our five brilliant grandchildren. Kristi and Len live in Denham Springs and have two daughters, Emily Lyn and Anna Louise.  Oscar Kevin and Heidi reside in Castle Pines, CO and are the parents of Abigail Marie, Andrew Dawson and Amelia Michelle.

Dr. Southall was a graduate of Baker High School and LSU with degrees in Elementary Education and Masters in Library and Information Sciences.  Her desire for lifelong learning was realized when she was one of three to receive the first doctorate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Her professional journey offered many opportunities for diverse experiences. She began as a teacher and librarian in Baker schools, then worked in instructional technology for East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Louisiana State Department of Education. After working in Pk-12 education, she began work in higher education and was the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of Louisiana System, followed being named Senior Policy Advisor to the Commissioner of Higher Education in Louisiana. Upon retirement, she began a new career as a national consultant with the Discovery Channel, Curriculum Associates, and Emergenetics. Through contracts with these companies, she worked in all but 10 states affording her the opportunity to meet the most remarkable and caring educators.

She is survived by her loving husband, Oscar, devoted children Oscar Kevin and Heidi, Kristi and Len, brother and sister-in-law Bill and Pam Dawson, a very special cousin Lyn Stevens, numerous other family members, and the five greatest grandchildren, Abbie, Anna, Andrew, Amelia, Emily and her special friend Christopher Miller.

A memorial service will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Denham Springs at a later date. The family requests in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church, 726 Maple St., Denham Springs, LA 70726. Please sign the online guestbook at