Joseph Dawson Singletary

Joseph Dawson Singletary, 75, of Bladenboro, passed away in the comfort of his loving home on January 01, 2026. 

Dawson was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Katherine D Singletary, siblings, Ava Mumm Singletary and Emily Garner, and granddaughter Parker Singletary.

Dawson’s legacy continues through the love of his wife of 55 years, Opal, sons, Shoul (Wendy), Brad (Jennifer), Ashley (Jessica), and Clint Storms (Brook). His memory will live on with his grandchildren, Tatum Singletary (Earline), Tanner Singletary (Emily), Sophia Jacome Singletary (Victor), Emma Singletary, Theodore Singletary, Landry Singletary, Hartley Storms, Laci Storms, Aleena Storms, India Storms, Dylan Saraidaris, Andrew Davis, Hannah Davis, Rick Bynum (Brittney), and Trey Paris (Estefani). He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Carson Berry, Stella Singletary, Addison Singletary, Hudson Hammond, Cooper Bynum, Beckett Bynum, Christian Paris, Lucas Paris, and Nashli Davis. Dawson also leaves behind siblings Isaac Singletary (Nina), Carolyn Craig (Bill), and Henry Singletary, and god-daughter Kristin Kelly. Dawson will be remembered dearly by an abundance of cousins, nieces, nephews, farm-hands that became family, and endless friends.

With an always open door, Dawson could easily be found deep in conversation with anyone who needed a listening ear and never turned anyone away from a chat. There was never a party or get-together where he didn’t spend time with each attendee, making sure everyone felt welcomed and included. One of Dawson’s proudest achievements was creating a safe space for all to land, clearly demonstrated by the ever revolving door of visitors through his home on any given day. There was always space for another chair and there was plenty of time for another story. The home of Dawson and Opal Singletary was an open home to all souls, no matter how energetic or weary the soul. It doesn’t hurt that Dawson made sure Opal kept plenty of sweets, because a little sugar made bad days better and good days great.

When he wasn’t at home, he could be found at a ball field. As an avid sports lover, Dawson coached his sons in baseball, football, Dixie Youth Baseball of Bladenboro president, and endlessly encouraged his family to enjoy athletic pastimes. Despite his declining health, he continued to attend as many ball games for his grandchildren as possible, braving cold weather for soccer and the scorching heat for softball. However, Dawson loved watching all who loved the game and would constantly be on the ball field as a local fan to cheer on the home team. On numerous occasions, Dawson has stayed late to ensure no child has been left behind, cheered loudly for the child whose family may be tied up at work, and provided snacks in an inconspicuous way to not draw attention to those who may have less.

Anyone who’s ever spoken to Dawson knows the light of his life has been his grandchildren, who he never failed to tell how proud of them he was. Given the opportunity, he would go into great detail about what each of them was up to, what their plans were, and details about each of their varying personalities. He made sure to always dedicate time to each of them, with each having their “Pa and Me” time. Dawson ensured he had a special commonality for each of his grandchildren, to showcase a promise there was something that was just for them that meant he had been thinking of them.

Dawson leaves behind many other legacies, including his sixteen years serving the Bladen County Board of Education and on the North Carolina Board of Agriculture, providing counsel to Representatives Mike McIntyre and David Rouzier. Dawson had a fervent calling to advocate for the underserved, ensuring appropriate access to education and opportunities to the school systems housed here in Bladen County. He took every opportunity to learn as they arose, and encouraged others to expand their knowledge any chance they could; he sought to provide ample opportunities to the school system to address disparities. Dawson also proudly served as an E-6 within the National Guard at the age of 23 years old.

Aside from his advocacy endeavors, Dawson was proud to be a “salt of the earth” farmer, carrying on his eighth generation farm. His first love in life was cattle, and he loved all God’s creatures. This is a trait he’s passed on to his sons and grandchildren and, in so doing, often housed animals who otherwise would not have been taken care of when they saw an animal in need. Dawson was never one for newest, latest, and greatest gadgets, instead priding himself on using what he had and a little ingenuity to create a fix. Despite the never ending work of a farmer, he frequently would take a break to pick the local flowers to bring home to his wife and granddaughters, teaching them about the delicate scents and growing conditions. He modeled for his sons and grandsons how to pick your battles and advocate for those in need, highlighting sometimes the best course of action is to watch and wait to strengthen your argument.

While there is enough in his life to fill a novel and the stories will bring a plethora of tears and laughter, there will never be another quite like Dawson Singletary. To the best man many of us will ever know, we will forever remember our Dawson, husband, dad, Pa, and friend to an endless amount.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Bladen Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown from 4-4:45 pm with a funeral service immediately following at 5 pm. The Reverend Kevin Kinlaw and the Reverend Darren Andrews will officiate the service. Burial will be private.