Verdilla May Dodson, 87, of Morgantown, passed away on Saturday, May 16 2020. Verdilla was the daughter of the late John and Helen Sower. She grew up in Milton, Pa., and was a 1950 graduate of Milton High school.
She was a homemaker, but over the years she held several different jobs. She worked in a greenhouse and possessed a wonderful artistic talent with floral and plant arrangements. Verdilla worked cleaning homes for various employers and at a “home for the aged.” Her most notable employment was 15 years in retail with Montgomery Ward; working in stores in both downtown Morgantown in women’s fashions and at the Mountaineer Mall. She had a wonderful sense of fashion and was always groomed and nicely dressed.
Verdilla, an accomplished pianist, served as the organist and pianist for the Sabra United Methodist Church for decades. During those years, Verdilla dedicated much of her time as a volunteer working with the church choir, not only for weekly services, but also for the many cantatas performed by the choir. She also led a weekly Bible Study for the church youth group that was regularly attended by many of the neighborhood young people for almost a decade. Verdilla’s knowledge of the Bible would have surely rivaled that of any minister. Both Jim and Verdilla were active members of the Sabra UM Church for many years until illness made it impossible for them to attend. They have done extensive traveling in the U.S., and have been to Hawaii, Canada and the British Isles.
Verdilla is survived by her two daughters, Rebecca M. (Dodson) Arbogast and husband, Kevin, of Parkersburg, and Carrie A. Dodson, of Morgantown; daughter-in-law, Alice Dodson, of Bruceton Mills; grandchildren, Carla (Nicholson) Wheeler and husband Rodney, Carl David Nicholson and partner Keitha Miller, Amy (Arbogast) Frank and husband Jeff and George Nicholson and wife Pam Dalton; great-grandchildren, Jadie Bee, Corey Metz, Jamie, Cody and Connor Nicholson, Katie and Randy Wheeler, Blake Eddy, Neal and Jillian Dalton and Callie Frank; two great-great-grandchildren, Justyn and Owen; and her beloved caregiver, Willa Hughes.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, James G. Dodson. Jim and Verdilla M. (Sower) Dodson celebrated 65 years of marriage on Aug. 10, 2017. They were married on Aug. 10, 1952, at Christ’s Lutheran Church, in Milton, Pa.. The couple met as pen pals while Jim was in the Army and exchanged correspondence for nine months. They had their first date in January of 1952 when Jim rotated home on leave from Kodiak Island, Alaska, where he was stationed. They were engaged two weeks later, on St. Valentine’s Day. In addition to Jim, she is also preceded in death by her parents John and Helen Sower; one son, John L. Dodson; one granddaughter, Lori Dodson; son-in-law Roy Bate; and one sister.
Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home is assisting the family with private services. Verdilla will be laid to rest at Beverly Hills Memorial Garden.
Condolences:
www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
