Onita Dodson

BLYTHEVILLE - Onita Williams Dodson, 89 of Blytheville, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro on Sept. 22, 2025.

Born in Leachville, Onita was the oldest daughter of Andrew Reaves and Fronie Riggs Williams. Born into a farming family, Onita learned early on the importance of hard work, faith, and family. Always proud of her upbringing, she often spoke fondly of that time despite carrying the scars of picking and chopping cotton for the rest of her life.

After graduating from Manila High School in 1955, Onita moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Leaving the city she loved and the Cardinals baseball team was difficult, but she wanted her young family to be closer to her family and have the same values she held dear.

Never the type to sit still, Onita worked well into her 70s for Blytheville area physicians, the last 20 for Family Medicine Associates. When not working, she loved her garden, the wildlife surrounding it, and keeping up to date on the news.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters- Patsy Hembrey and Carolyn Cole, and two children- Vickey Dodson Moore and Tim (Timmy) Dodson.

She leaves behind her children Donnie and Sherri Dodson, of Blytheville, and Andrea Dodson of Gosnell. She leaves three grandchildren, Shane, Alyssa, and David; and eight great grandchildren, Ryan, Antonio (AJ), McKenna, Hollynd, Emilynn, Colby, Camille, and Macie. She leaves three brothers- Kenneth Williams, Perry Williams, and Charles Keith Williams, a large family of nieces and nephews, and two fur babies.

Funeral Service will be 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila with Rev. Mark Wheeler officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Manila Cemetery next to her parents following the service. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Michael Hembrey, Randy Hembrey, Antonio Rocha, Omar Martinez, Samuel Williams, and David Dodson. The family will receive visitors from noon until service at the funeral home. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.howardfuneralservice .com/.

Her life was one of quiet strength, unwavering determination and faith, and an unbreakable love for her family. She will be missed dearly by those who loved her in return.