Mary Laverne (Dodd) Hames

Mary Laverne Dodd Hames Weaver, 88 of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died Monday, March 27th, 2023. She was born January 21st, 1935, to Hazel and Earl Dodd in Fort Smith, AR. Mary was a lifelong resident of Fort Smith, and loved her town and the local university – she was proud to be a 1971 graduate of the first class of registered nurses at Westark Community College (University of Arkansas Fort Smith), earning her Associate’s Degree. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of the Ozarks, and served as a school nurse for Fort Smith Public Schools for over twenty years. Mary was an active member of East Side Baptist Church and First Baptist Church over the course of her lifetime, with singing in choir as one of her greatest joys. Mary had an alto voice that could harmonize beautifully, and occasionally played hymns on her piano, while singing along. Her children were raised in a house that resounded with music, especially at Christmas, her favorite holiday in which multiple rooms were festively decorated. She was a gifted seamstress, making wedding dresses for her daughters and a granddaughter, Easter outfits for her grandchildren and was still mending the stuffed animals of her youngest grandchildren in her eighties. Mary also showed her love through her cooking, making wonderful meals to share with her family members and friends. Her retirement years included times of travel with her husband, Wendell, and she particularly treasured her memories of their trip to the Holy Land.

Mary was preceded in death by her first two husbands, Dr. James Howard Curlin, Jr. and Mr. Delbert Hames, and also by her parents and her sister, Deloris Soucy. Mary was married to her husband of 18 years, Mr. Wendell Weaver, at the time of her death. Mary is survived by: Her children, Sheri Curlin Patterson (Bill), Dr. James Howard Curlin III (Carol), Dr. Jay Russell Curlin (Bonnie), Jeffrey Dodd Curlin (Tracy), and Dr. Shelli Curlin Henehan (Brian); her brother, Robert Dodd (Linda); and her step-daughters Becky Weaver Wise and Tracy Weaver Soutiere (Mike). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Paige Witt (Ben), Kaci Lawrence (Brandon), Hannah Marston (Jeremy), James Curlin (Rachel), Sarah Curlin, Kit Curlin (Liz), Kayleigh Podgornik (Kevin), Adam Curlin (Trinity), Jason Curlin, Dr. Jonathan Curlin, Cason Henehan (Jennifer), Gideon Curlin (Megan), Curlin Ray (Allison), Charity Curlin, Joshua Curlin, Philip Curlin, Gabriel Curlin (Olivia), Theo Curlin, Benjamin Curlin, Schuyler Henehan and Tristan Henehan. Lastly, Mary is survived by her fourteen great-grandchildren. She will be missed greatly.

Family visitation will be held Thursday, March 30th, at Edwards Funeral Home, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The celebration of life service will be held Friday, March 31st at 10:00 a.m., in the Edwards Funeral Home chapel, with a graveside service following at the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com