BEVERLY DODSON

Beverly Dodson - loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend - passed away on Friday, July 31st, surrounded by her family. She was 72 years old. Beverly valiantly fought her cancer with everything she had until the very end; never wavering from the strength and deeply kind nature she exhibited in her daily life. She battled her disease with a quiet dignity and determination that continues to be an inspiration to all who knew her. Beverly was born and raised in Oklahoma, graduated from Shawnee High School and attended both Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma. She lived in Nassau, Bahamas from 1966 to 1970 where she met the love of her life, Gary Dodson, whom she married in 1969. Beverly and Gary moved back to El Paso in 1970, and - after brief moves to Dallas, Texas and Mission Viejo, California - settled in El Paso, Texas in 1983 to raise their family. In 1989 she began a career with the El Paso Independent School District, where she worked for 25 years and retired as the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. Beverly retired in 2014 and moved to Arizona to be close to her children and grandchildren. She spent the last year of her life close to her family and immersed in their daily lives - picking the grandchildren up from school; attending their plays and recitals; taking them to the movies and other fun outings. She was a dedicated and devoted mother. She took immense joy in raising her family, sewing, crafts, reading a good book, cooking and spending time with those close to her. She loved to travel and enjoy good food and conversation. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren. Beverly is preceded in death by her husband - Gary Dodson of El Paso, Texas; and her parents - William Oscar Daniels and Dorothy Aileen Daniels, of Mesa, Arizona. Beverly is survived by her two children - Kimberly McMullen and husband Patrick of Phoenix, Arizona; Jim Dodson and wife Rachel of Chandler, Arizona; five grandchildren - Keely, Colin and Ryan McMullen & Charlie and Ford Dodson; two sisters - DeDee Galbraith and husband Jim of Gulfport, Mississippi & Marcia Hanekamp of Bedford, Texas. A Memorial Service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, August 22nd at Sun Lakes Chapel, 9420 East Sun Lakes Boulevard, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248. Memorial donations may be made to St. Josephs Foundation, care of Fallopian Tube Cancer Research, 350 West Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013, www.supportstjosephs.org - or - Neighbors Who Care, 10450 East Riggs Road #113, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248, www.neighborswhocare.com.