Robert Otis (Bobby) Dodson

The breath of life occurred for Robert Otis Dodson on August 31, 1945 to his parents, Perry Lee, Sr., and Annie Waller Dodson. Robert sojourned to be in the presence of the Lord on April 1, 2023. Robert grew to be involved in the St. John Baptist Church (Pettus, Arkansas) with his parents and siblings who preceded him in death, Wallace, James Anna, Margie Lee, Annie Jean, Dornice, Brenda, Perry Lee, Jr., and Major. Robert was one of ten siblings that were reared by his parents in Pettus, Arkansas. He confessed belief in Jesus Christ and was baptized into Christ in 1968. He became a member of the Brown Street Church of Christ in Lonoke, Arkansas. In later years, he faithfully ministered to congregations within the Church of Christ in Conway, Brinkley, and Lexa, Arkansas for several years prior to the turn of the Twenty-First Century. In August 2002, Robert placed membership with the Levy Church of Christ and remained until his demise. He served as an elder in the congregation for several years.

After graduation from George Washington Carver High School in Lonoke, Arkansas, he enlisted into the United States Navy. He served from 1964-1967. He married Aretha LaFaye Lemmons on December 29, 1968. A son, Marcus and daughter, Miriam were born to this union. Robert and Aretha celebrated fifty-four years of marriage.

Robert graduated from Baptist College in Little Rock, Arkansas and later studied Religion at the Harding School of Religion in Memphis, Tennessee. While being an active husband, father and minister, Robert found time to serve within his community by coaching a little league football team and an AAU basketball team named the "Rabbit Tracks" in the mid 1980s. He was also a cabinet builder for Rockefeller Construction. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, cooking and specifically baking cakes and pies.

Robert is survived by his wife Aretha Dodson, his son, Marcus Dodson, his daughters, Miriam Dodson, Regina Clark Grider, Lisa Renee (Antone) Johnson, Sr., sister, Laura Spencer; eight grandchildren, Scarlett Dodson, whom he helped raise, Chloe Carrigan, Curtis (Bonnie) Grider, Amber Grider, Hayli' Stricklen, Antone Johnson, Jr., Devon Johnson, Julian Johnson; eight great-grandchildren, Maddox Breece, Landon Ross, Logan Ross, Ana'ce Grider, Nicholas Blanton II, Te'yanaha Grider, Kayli' Engram, Jordan Johnson; sisters and a brother in-law, Joyce Dodson, Stella Dodson, Harvey Terrell Young, Sr., a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who speak eloquently about their "Uncle/Cousin Bobby." When Robert married into the Lemmons' Family in 1968, he became like a son and brother to his in-laws. He is survived by Reta Young, Joan (Joseph) Larry and Chester Lemmons. They always enjoyed various life experiences that were introduced to them. Two of Robert's Navy friends, Albert Livingston (Corpus Christi, Texas) and William Jenkins (Kansas) grieve his passing as well.

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