Rev. Vernon A. Dodson
Alton |
Rev. Vernon A. Dodson, age 87 died at 12:30 pm on Friday, May 28, 2010 at his residence. He was born on Dec. 16, 1922 in Paragould, Arkansas the son of the late Luther and Ethel (Jones) Dodson. Ordained as a minister on August 13, 1950 he served in churches in Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois and retired from the First Baptist Church in Meadowbrook in 1983. He faithfully served for 6 years on the board of directors of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Rev. Dodson was a great witness for the Lord, a devoted studier of the bible and prayer warrior. This continued after retirement as a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alton. He was a wonderful singer, loved to garden, and was an avid golfer and St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan; and of course a stranger to no one. He also served in the 8th Airforce during WWII.
On December 16, 1950 in Paragould, Arkansas he married the former Mildred Faye Beeler and she survives. Also surviving are four children; Deborah K. Gold (Phillip) of Hollister, CA and her twin brother, Rev. Danny R. Dodson (Janice) of Pocahontas, IL, Brenda L. Dale (Jeffrey) of Alton and Alicia S. Hill (Wayne) of Godfrey, 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, one brother; Leonard Dodson of Hayti, Mo. and one sister; Evelyn Garner of Hayti, Mo. He was preceded in death by a brother; Woodrow Dodson and four sisters; Geneva Adams, Margaret Eichler, Alberta Lemmons and Lura Jean Hollingsworth.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 pm on Tuesday at the Calvary Baptist Church in Alton where funeral services will be at 10:00 am Wednesday with Rev. Andre Dobson, Rev. Frank Marshall and Rev. Wade Dobson officiating. Burial will be at Upper Alton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Global Focus Mission Fund of Calvary Baptist Church. Additional information and online guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhom.com
Gent Funeral Home
