Lauri Kolb Dodson

On January 31, 2009, Lauri Kolb Dodson, of Centreville, Va., beloved wife of Colonel Todd L. Dodson, of Botetourt County, and devoted mother to Kaitlyn E. Dodson, lost her courageous six year battle with cancer. During her school years, Lauri won several North Carolina beauty pageants and won the crown as Miss North Carolina Hemisphere. This lead to a modeling career in New York City, Philadelphia and throughout North Carolina. She followed this by working in the movie industry where she developed her career to the point she moved to Hollywood, Calif., and worked on several movies and TV shows.
Lauri met her husband at Wrightsville Beach, N.C. After a short seven mouth courtship, they were wed on December 19, 1992. His military career took her new family to Fort Campbell, Ky., Fort Polk, La., Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., Fort Bragg, N.C., and finally Washington, D.C. Lauri took her role as an Army wife with enthusiasm. She always enjoyed meeting new people and helping other Army families. Her generous heart and compassionate nature made her a friend to everyone that ever knew her. As a devoted mother, Lauri enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her daughter, becoming a stay at home mother.
Lauri's faith remained strong in her battle against the terrible disease, inspiring all who knew her. Her favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11-13, helped to keep her spirits up. Her positive attitude and beautiful smile will be greatly missed. She was gracious and appreciative for everything done for her and her family, just some of the attributes that the cancer could not take from her.
Lauri's father, Gerald F. Kolb Sr., preceded her in death. In addition to her husband, Todd; daughter, Kaitlyn; and her beloved golden retriever, Skipper; she is survived by her mother, Anita R. Kolb, of Wilmington, N.C.; her in-laws, Donald and Polly Dodson, of Daleville, Va.; and her brothers, Gerald F. "Bud" Kolb Jr. and his wife, Gillie, and Jeffrey Kolb and his wife, Christy. Also mourning are her aunts, Donna R. Biggers and Kiyoko Russ; and Todd's brother, Steven Dodson and his wife, Kathy. She also leaves behind many dear cousins and friends in many places.
Visitation will be at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel on South College Road, Wilmington, N.C., from 6 to 8 p.m. on February 6, 2009. Funeral services will be the following day at 1 p.m. at the United Advent Christian Church, 4912 S. College Road, Wilmington, N.C., officiated by Dr. Harold Herd of Stoney Point Baptist Church, which was her church in Fayetteville, N.C. Internment will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens, 306 Bradley Drive, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123-1718.