Dawn Felix

OBITUARY On July 7, 2023, Dawn Marilyn Felix, 59, passed away peacefully at her home in Greenbelt, MD after an eight-year-long battle with breast cancer. She was predeceased by her parents Abel Benjamin Felix and Gwendolene Agusta Felix. Dawn was born in Chicago, IL on May 25, 1964, and at the age of two, her parents remigrated to Guyana, South America where she experienced most of her more formative years. She received her primary education at Nismes Methodist School and her secondary education at Christ Church and St. Roses High School. Upon completion, Dawn returned to the USA, the country of her birth, for better educational options and career opportunities. After exploring various career options, she followed in the military footsteps of her grandfather, Mr. Gershon Browne, who served in World War I, by enlisting in the United States Army. She was stationed in Fort Benning, GA for basic trainings and moved up the ranks to Staff Sargent. She was deployed to Germany and served with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Dawn then attended the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1993. She then attended the Officer Candidate School, where she received her commission as an Officer. After completion, she was assigned to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC, providing excellent care to soldiers. After leaving the US Army, she continued her passion for nursing and obtained her Master of Science degree from George Washington University in 1999, becoming a Nurse Practitioner. She began working at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ flagship hospital, the VA Medical Center in Washington DC, until her death. While at the VA hospital, she worked in various roles, including as a Clinical Care Nurse Practitioner in the Green Clinic and as a Board-Certified Diabetes Educator. Her co-workers said she was very passionate about programs assisting Veterans such as herself. Dawn was devoted Christian who loved the Lord. Her spiritual nurturing began at Nismes Methodist Church in Guyana and continued at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Greenbelt, MD where she was an active member for several years. Dawn had an extreme love for not only Veterans but people in general. During the pandemic, she created a monthly food drive at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church that provided food boxes to the needy. The program was so successful she received praise from local leaders such as the Greenbelt City Council and the local publication the Greenbelt News Review newspaper. She loved quilting, joining the Seabrook and Uhuru Quilt Guild, and loved going to Quilt shows to perfect her craft. Dawn loved making things for the people she loved. She could always be seen at home in her sewing room designing and making various quilts, which she gave to many of her family, friends and Veterans. Dawn would always be an ear for people to vent their frustrations as well as share their successes. She would always offer prayers for her friends and family. At Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and at cookouts, she would be the “life of the party” where she would share interesting stories and engaged in very lively debates on politics and current events. She loved cooking for these events. To say that her family and friends will miss her is greatly an understatement. Among the many patients she cared for, and fellow nurses and doctors she worked with, Dawn was a well-respected and cherished colleague as well as a loyal friend to many people including Grace Seopaul and Gloria Shelton. She is survived by her beloved son Carl Roberson, her significant other Philip Mejia, her brothers Granville and Errol Felix, sister Cheryl McEachrane, foster brother and cousin Neil “Butchie” Graham, sisters-in-law Candida Felix and Colleen Graham, brother-in-law Victor McEachrane, nieces, nephews and a host of other loving relatives, friends and colleagues. In lieu of flowers memorable donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Tributes

Dawn Felix

May 25, 1964 - July 7, 2023