Frank "Frankie" Dodson

Mr. Frank “Frankie” Dodson, age 73, husband of Linda Hawkins Dodson, and a resident of Jackson, Tennessee, originally from the Water Valley Community in Santa Fe, passed away Tuesday morning, February 1, 2022, at his residence.

Born on January 18, 1949, in Columbia, Tennessee, Frank was the son of the late Bevley Dodson and the late Esterlene Dodson. He grew up in the Water Valley Community. He enjoyed telling the stories of growing up on the family farm, activities in the community, the things he and other community boys got into and the time he spent in the country stores owned by his grandfather and uncle. He was a 1967 graduate of Santa Fe High School where he was very active in FFA. Following graduation, he attended Columbia State Community College and received his BS and MS degrees from Austin Peay State University. He did additional graduate studies at Louisiana State University.

On July 18, 1969, he married Linda Ruth Hawkins.

He began his thirty-nine year career in higher education at Dyersburg State Community College as professor of biology and later transferred to Jackson State Community College where he taught science courses and served in many administrative positions before his retirement as Provost of the College in 2011. Upon his retirement, he was honored with the science auditorium being name Frank Dodson Science Lecture Hall.

He was a member of Browns United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday school teacher, lay leader, and many other leadership positions in the church. He was a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church and served many churches in the area. He was a member of Browns Ruritan Club where he served as an officer numerous times. He was instrumental in organizing the Browns Ruritan Tractor Show. He served as district governor of the Hermitage District Ruritan three times and was elected and served two terms on the Ruritan National Board of Directors. He was a Tom Downing Fellow. Recently he and Linda were honored by the Browns Club when they named their meeting room The Dodson Ruritan Activity Center. He enjoyed all aspects of farming, especially tractors. He enjoyed attending and participating in many antique tractor shows where he showed his Oliver 550 Special and Cub tractors. He also served on the board of Faith Health Center, Beech Bluff Utilities, Fox Ridge Homeowners Association and was past member of Jackson Exchange Club, Lexington Rotary Club, and Dyersburg Lions Club.

Survivors include his wife, Linda of Jackson, daughter Jennifer (Jonathan) Roland, granddaughters, Ashley and Lindsey Roland of Milan, sister, Zonelle (Stan) Kozich of Fairview, brother, George (Annette) Dodson, and special double first cousins, Sharon (Elton) Sisk and Vicki (Eddie) Scott of Santa Fe, niece, and nephews.

In addition to his parents and parents-in-law, Herbert and Blanche Hawkins, he was preceded in death by uncle and aunt, Buddy and Elizabeth “Mama Dude” Dodson, aunt, Louise Dodson, brother, Anderson Dodson, and a niece.

A funeral service will be Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Browns United Methodist Church, 181 McLeary Road, Jackson, Tennessee with Rev. Tom Spellings, Rev. Steven Callicoatt, and Rev. Jimmy Gardner officiating. Burial will follow in Browns Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, February 4, 2022, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia and again on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Pallbearers will be David Pearson, Johnny Woolfolk, Dr. Don Williams, Dr. David Larsen, Lee Tomlinson, Randy Bonner, Mike Ashley, and Danny Jackson.

Honorary pallbearers will include Jerry Ellis, Jerry Leach, Dr. Walter Nelms, Dr. Bruce Blanding, Dr. Doug Tuech, Jim Vinson, Harold Puckett, Gary Cook, Don Watt, and members of Browns Ruritan Club.

The family requests memorials be made to Browns United Methodist Church, 181 McLeary Road, Jackson, Tennessee, 38305 or a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to thank their friends, Avalon Hospice, and Home Instead for their prayers, care, and support during Frank’s illness.