A Hot Springs native, educator and long-time supporter of her home community’s artistic and cultural endeavors, passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2012, at the age of 85.

Wanda White Dodson was born Dec. 6, 1926, in Hot Springs, to James Kelly White and Myrtle Sanders White. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Milton Dodson, and by her parents.

Survivors include two daughters, Terri Dodson Bachelor and husband, Latt, Lee Dodson Bonds and husband, Terrell; one son, Thomas Milton Dodson and wife, Susie; five grandchildren, Rebecca Leigh Bachelor, Brandie Dodson Oliver, Brooke Scholl, Ashley Elizabeth Bonds and Spencer Christian Bonds.

Dodson attended Jones School, Central Junior High School and graduated in 1944 from Hot Springs High School. She spent her freshman and sophomore years at Centenary College in Shreveport, La., where she served as vice president of the freshman class, as an accompanist for the Centenary Choir and was a member of Chi Omega sorority.

She transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for her junior year and was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota honorary music fraternity and Psi Chapter of Chi Omega. She graduated in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in music. She taught for two years at Jones School in Hot Springs and married Thomas Milton Dodson Sr. in 1950.

A life member of the First United Methodist Church, she played piano for the Sunday School classes for several years. Dodson’s civic involvement included service on the boards of the YMCA, Mid-America Science Museum and the Hot Springs Junior Auxiliary of which she was a life member.

She was an officer of the Jones School, Central Junior High School and Hot Springs Parent-Teacher Associations, serving as president of the Hot Springs High School PTA. She was presented with a Lifetime Membership pin for her work with the organization. Dodson was also the past president of the Hot Springs Chi Omega Alumnae and the Progressive Club.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Mike Mattox and David Wilson officiating.

Pallbearers will be Rick Blagg, Dr. Scott Seller, Jim McAdams, Gary Lax, Carl Bachelor and Jay Gibbs. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Daniel Owens, Dr. John Simpson, Cecil Cupp Jr., George Bachelor, Joe Kaufman, Ben Kaufman and members of the Hot Springs High School Class of 1944.

Dodson’s family extends very special thanks to the staff at Brookfield Assisted Living, expressing heartfelt gratitude “for our Mom’s caregivers who loved and cared for her,” and saying, “She appreciated and loved each of you”: Ty Scales, Erica Williams, Brenda Evans, Lanetta Darrough, Paris Robertson, Margo Newborn, and Crystal Pippen.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1100 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901.

Guest register at http://www.grossfuneralhome.com.

Published: 07/05/2012