Mary Z. Dodson

Mary Z. (Fowlkes)Dodson, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 15, 2016 at the Belvedere Nursing Home in Chester, Pa.

Mary Z. Dodson was born August 4, 1924 in Keysville, Virginia to the late Rufus and Louise Fowlkes. She was educated in the Charlotte County Public Schools and later moved to West Chester, Pa where she married the late Nathan Dodson. She worked in the Housekeeping Department of the Chester County Hospital for many years until she became disabled.
Moving later to Chester, Pa., Mary joined the Bethany Baptist Church where she taught elementary Sunday school, was a member of the Virginia Club and the Adult Sunday School. Mary attended Bethany faithfully for over 50 years until her health began to fail.
Mary was loved and cherished by her family as well as the many friends of her children who appreciated the welcome atmosphere in her homes both on Barclay Street and on 9th Street in Chester.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mary was predeceased by four brothers and two sisters. She was also predeceased by two sons, Donald J. Fowlkes and Harold L. Dodson and one daughter, Irma L. Rideout.
She leaves to cherish her memory five sons: Rev. Ronald W. Fowlkes, Sr. (Annemarie), Joseph L. Fowlkes, Ricky Dodson (Letty), Calvin S. Dodson, and Barry H. Dodson (Anastasia); Two daughters: Cynthia M. Dodson and Beverly S. Dodson. She also leaves two brothers: James H. Fowlkes (Charlotte) and Leroy Fowlkes (Patricia) and one sister: Shirley Hunter.
Mary is also survived by two daughters-in-law: Philomena Fowlkes and Jacqueline Dodson, 31 grandchildren (1 deceased), 59 great-grandchildren (1 deceased) and 12 great-great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Special caretakers Mary Fowlkes, Marcia "Jeanne" Williams, and Sharon Brooks.