Mary D. Dodson

Mary Dell Kirksey Dodson, age 85, of Dallas, TX, passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2012. She was born in Dallas on March 7, 1927 to parents Dr. Tom and Eloise Kirksey. Mary Dell graduated from Highland Park High School and from SMU in 1947 with degrees in art and comparative literature.

"Mimi", as she was so lovingly called, was married to Dr. Richard L. Dodson. They began their 67 year romance on a blind date in December of 1945 and were married on December 20, 1947. Their marriage was full of love, devotion, and laughter. Together they enjoyed fun times with their many, many friends, extensive travel, fishing at Coon Creek Club, her favorite place in the world since childhood, fly fishing in Colorado and at Channels Ranch in Montana and summers at Padre with the kids and grandchildren. She was an avid sports fan right alongside Dick watching football, basketball, golf, tennis and baseball. Mary Dell was so active in her community with memberships in Kappa Kappa Gamma, the Dallas Woman's Club, Marianne Scruggs Garden Club, the Lyceum Club, and Woman's Council of the Arboretum. She knitted baby caps for Parkland Hospital, participated for years at Lighthouse for the Blind and was a very gifted artist. She had so many friends, namely her Sewing Club (Ann Chapman, Nancy Dolph, Martha Dye, deceased, Elise Ferguson, deceased, Betty Ligon, deceased, Joanne McDonald, Betty Schoeller, deceased, Jenny Thomas, and Nancy Titus) who met every other Wednesday for 63 years. She also looked forward to Bridge Club (Betty Barrett, Pat Copley, Ann Corley, Margaret LaPrade, and Jean Lewis ) every Monday.

However the center of Mary Dell's world was her husband, children and grandchildren. We are all left with so many special memories of our time spent together.

She is survived by her husband, Dick, and their two children, Linda Dodson Young and her husband, Gary, and John Dodson and his wife, Pam; four grandchildren, Lea Whiteside Love and husband, Brian, Jeff Whiteside, Matt Dodson and Mallory Dodson; one great grandchild, Madeleine Eloise Love; a sister, Barbara Kirksey Kirkland and her husband, Jim and many nieces and nephews. A very special friend who is truly part of the family is Lena Mae Freeman. We must not forget her dog, Iris, who Mary Dell called her "Little Princess".

Mary Dell is predeceased by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Tom Kirksey, and her little brother, Thomas Madison Kirksey, Jr.

Mary Dell was blessed with many wonderful care givers during her illness and the family would like to express their appreciation for their dedication.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Highland Park United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers you may send contributions in her name to The Dallas Woman's Club Foundation, 7000 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75225 or the Salvation Army.