Church members mourn death of missionaries’ son

The Dawidow family at the Pan European Lectures in 2005. Michael Ray “Mikey” Dawidow is on the far left, next to his parents, Mike and Molly Dawidow. (Photo by Eileen Emch)

From Mississippi to Sopot, Poland, church members are mourning the New Year’s Day death of 29-year-old Mikey Dawidow, the son of longtime missionaries Mike and Molly Dawidow.
Following is a statement from the family:

Michael Ray Lipe Dawidow, 29, died suddenly in Sopot, Poland on Jan. 1, 2011 of a massive heart attack. “Mikey” was the only son of Mike and Molly Lipe Dawidow; brother of Annabelle Dawidow of Oxford and Pope, Mississippi; and grandson of Ray (deceased) and Belle Lipe of Pope, Mississippi and of Walenty and Anna (deceased) Dawidow of Sopot, Poland.
Mikey was born in Vienna, Austria and attended schools in Austria and later in Poland when his family moved there in the early 1990’s. He spent many childhood summers in Mississippi with his grandfather, “Ray Ray”.
Mikey was a kind and thoughtful Christian man, a member of the Sopot Church of Christ, and he lived a life of service to others. From his earliest childhood, he helped his family in their Bible distribution, humanitarian and mission efforts in Austria, Poland and other countries of eastern Europe, accompanying his father on humanitarian convoys and preaching trips. He was loved and appreciated by a host of friends and neighbors who along with his family mourn his passing.
He worked with Elite Crete Polska.
Funeral services will be held at the Sopot church “Kosciol Chrystusowy” at ul. Obr. Westerplatte 21 in Sopot, Poland on Friday, January 7 at 10 a.m. Central European Time with his father, grandfather and Mr. Ed Wharton of Lubbock, Texas and Larry Lipe of Baton Rouge, La., officiating. Vocal music will be by the Sopot Concert Choir Mundus Cantat. Interment will be in the Dawidow family crypt at the Sopot Communal Cemetery.
Mikey’s mother, Molly, was in Pope, Mississippi visiting family for Christmas when she heard of her son’s tragic death and returned to Poland on Jan. 2 with Annabelle and accompanied by her brother, Larry Lipe.
Condolences may be mailed to the Dawidow family at P.O. Box 150, Sopot, Poland 81967. Memorials may be sent to the Polish Mission; P.O. Box 2073, Batesville, MS  38606.

The Dawidow family has contributed greatly to the growth of Churches of Christ in Poland, as we reported in 2005.

• Feedback
  We are lifting you up in prayer, from Africa. Mikey is in the place he dreamed about. Sung songs about. The place he hoped for. He is in a better fellowship where worship is real.He is in eye to eye contact with our LORD. This life will miss him, and for that, we pray for God’s hand on you during this difficult moment.

  Charles Ngoe

  January, 5 2011

  For God hold the final say…his love is endoring, everlasting,he has the final say. let us all lift up his name by faith knowing that nothing is evera mistake with him that believeth and know God. Life is a vapor.. for we all have our appointed time. for your Mickey is in a better place by the grace of God.. he loves him still, you love him still, and the Churches of Christi Holmes County, Mississippi love him. may his soul rest in peace love you all.

  Timeka B.

  January, 5 2011

  Michael we will truly miss you. R. I. P. Damian Sobczak
  Chojnice, Poland

  Damian Sobczak

  January, 7 2011

  Molly, Mike and Annabelle,
  We are so sorry about the loss of your precious one. Connie Massie told about it in Bible class last Sunday. I cried, remembering well what a help and joy he was to me when I worked that 6 weeks in Annabelle’s classes more than 8 years ago (on leave from Ukraine).
  May God comfort you. In Christian love, Betty & Joe Cannon (Memphis)

  Betty Dollar Cannon

  January, 8 2011