J. Craig Dodson

Joel Craig Dodson, 85 of Sanford peacefully passed away Wednesday March 25, 2026. The family will greet friends Saturday (3/28/2026) from 1-2pm at Solid Rock Community Church with funeral services starting at 2pm Saturday. Burial will follow in the Dodson Family Cemetery.

Mr. Dodson was born in Rockingham Co, son of the late Joel Webb Dodson and Gloria Sayre Price Dodson. He was preceded in death by a daughter Lori Jill Dodson son, Kevin C. Dodson, siblings Ricky Dodson, Ronald Dodson and Paige Davis. Craig retired from Maxway (formerly Macks Dime Store) where he began his career as a stock boy and 25 years later, retired as President. In his mid-50’s he went to Seminary and became a Minister. He started two Church’s in Sanford, New Life Praise Church and Solid Rock Community Church.

Mr. Dodson is survived by his wife, Patricia “Patti” Dodson; his children, Jeaneane Ashley (Kenny), Eric Dodson (Charity), and Chastity Ogburn (Jay); grandchildren, Lance Ashley (Baruska), Nash Atkins (Josh), Erica Dodson, Zachary Gautier (Brooke), Annah-Jill Rupard (Dustin), Mary-Kathryn Laws (Ashton), Parker Ogburn (Gracie), John Robert Ogburn III, Piper Ogburn, Chase Dodson (Brooke), Brent Dodson (Emily), and Patrick Dodson; great grandchildren, Beau, Rhett, Georgia, Carter, River, Lacy-Anne, Jeremiah, Micah, Camden, Jackson, Jamerson, Kayden, and Mason; one brother, Heath Dodson (Stacey) and a sister, Tammy Nichols.

Memorial contributions can be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to The Gideons International, PO Box 1032, Sanford, NC 27331-1032.