Dodson

Jessie Bernice Roberts Dodson, the youngest of three children, was born Aug. 30, 1919 at home in Holly Springs. She was the daughter of John Bert Roberts and Effie Hall Roberts. She was reared and educated in Holly Springs Ebenezer Community and died Dec. 4 at Pittsburg Nursing Center at the age of 96. Her husband of 42 years, Drebon Lavern Dodson, preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 1980 They were married in Camp County on Nov. 24, 1938. To this union were born two children, Patricia Ann and Rickey Joe. Bernice was a homemaker and long-time member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She loved to cook and sew and play 42. She was preceeded in death by her husband, her parents, sisters Gladys Holcomb and Thelma Hicks and grandson Keith Townsend. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Ann Townsend, son, Rickey Joe Dodson and wife Katrina of Pittsburg; grandchildren, Joel Townsend, Amy Townsend Efurd, Dara Dodson Smith and Dia Dodson Hardeman; great-grandchildren Crystal Townsend Chapman, Linsey Townsend Harwell, Brantley Efurd, Reagan Efurd, Courtlyn Efurd, Sydney Smith, Sophie Smith, Hayes and Harbor Hardeman; great-great grandchildren Payton Harwell and Callan Chapman, adored nieces and nephews. Services for Mrs. Dodson will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 at Erman Smith Chapel with Rev. Kyle Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Erman Smith Funeral Home. The family received visitors on Saturday evening from 4 until 6 p.m. at Erman Smith Chapel. Pallbearers were Joel Townsend, Brantley Efurd, Greg Efurd, Vernon Holcomb, Charles Holcomb, Brian Hicks, Chris Smith, Clint Hardeman and Keith Burns.