Nellie Judith (Caldwell) Dawson, 85, resident of Millersville, died peacefully after a brief battle with cancer on Sunday, April 26, 2026, surrounded by her family. Nellie was born in Princeton, West Virginia, on Tuesday, November 26, 1940, to Alfred and Nellie M. (Craft) Caldwell. Nellie and her family left West Virginia when she was a young child and moved to Maryland, where she was raised. She was a longtime member of Heritage Church of God in Severn, where her faith grew throughout the years. Nellie was a hairdresser, which she loved, and she owned her own salon, Judy’s Salon of Elegance (Judy’s House of Curl). She also loved caramel on everything and the colors red and purple. She bowled 10-pin for many years, traveling with her sisters to tournaments and being in different leagues. She also enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and making dolls. Nellie enjoyed life, traveling with her husband and spending time with her family. Her faith, her kind spirit, and her big heart will be greatly missed by everyone that knew her.

Nellie is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Nellie M. (Craft) Caldwell; her husband, Dexter Dawson, Jr.; and her son, Derrick Conrad Dawson. She is survived by her children: Dexter Dawson III. (Donna), of Glen Burnie; Dianna Lynn Thompson (Larry) of Reisterstown; Dexter Dawson IV. (Tracey) of Crownsville; her siblings, Joyce Lougue of Glen Burnie; Veda Scott of Glen Burnie; Carole Lowell (Richard) of Georgia; Alfred “Ace” Caldwell (Bell) of Glen Burnie; 7 grandchildren: Judith, Daniel, David, Derrick, Eric, and the late Amberlena; and 16 great-grandchildren. 

Family and friends can visit at the Kirkley Ruddick Funeral Home on Sunday, 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.Funeral service will be on Monday, 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Entombment to follow, Glen Haven Memorial Park.