Angela Maria Harrington Dawson was born to Donnell Harrington Golden and John Harrington, Sr. Angela was the oldest of four children. She was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. She was a loving, caring wife and mother. She enjoyed listening to music alone and with her husband and their children, watching movies and having cookouts and the joy of sharing what she had with others. She had great dreams, like all parents for their children. Twelve years ago, on a warm sunshiny day in September in Severn, Maryland, she met Carnell Dawson. He had come to Maryland looking for a better life and new start. He moved in with his older sister and brother-in-law. Angela nicknamed Carnell "Car" and Carnell nicknamed Angela "Angel," because to him she was an angel and the love of his life. From this union two families became one. All of the children looked after each other because Mom and Dad taught them that, "Being together and loving each other was the most important thing in life." On October 16, 2002, at approximately 3:59 a.m., Angel Dawson and her children had a tragedy that ended their short lives. This family will always be remembered by their neighbors, families and friends as trying to make a difference and standing for what they "BELIEVED TO BE RIGHT!"They leave to mourn and cherish sweet memories: her husband and their father, Carnell Dawson; her mother, Donnell Golden and father, John Harrington: brothers, John Harrington, Jr. and David Golden II; sister, Davida Golden; daughter, Lakeesha Bowell; brothers and sisters-in-law, Alice and Johnny McNack, Sr., Novella and Kenneth Soloman; sister-in-law, Carletta Fisher; two stepdaughters, two step-grandchildren, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.
--------------
Angela Dawson, her husband Cornell, and their five children died in the blaze that police say was deliberately set in retaliation for Dawson's persistent complaints to police about drug dealing.
Darrell L. Brooks was convicted of arson and multiple counts of murder and was sentenced to life without parole.
Baltimore City housing officials say a combination of state and city funding totaling $1.5 million helped transform the building into the Dawson Safe Haven Center.

Director of the center, says around 30 children stop by the center after school to do homework, enjoy a snack or read books.

"Angela Dawson was a strong black woman. She was committed to the community and she wanted the best for our children."

"From tragedy comes positivity, and that's what's happened here."