Zeola Mae Dodson

DURHAM Mrs. Zeola Mae Dodson, 97 of  Durham, died on Sunday, July 21, 2013.

Zeola was born to parents William (Bill) and Annie (McLemore) Matthis on October 18, 1915 in Ingold, N. C. Her mother’s death when Zeola was 6 years old left a deep void in her life. One of her greatest wishes in life was to know what having a mother would be like and to be able to see and talk with her mother. With great faith and trust for heavenly reunions her wish will come true. Her father was in construction and traveled from the area thus she was gently parented by her Uncle Mr. Oscar and Mrs. Sudie Matthis for many years. At the age of 14 she gathered her two brothers and sister who lived with other aunts and uncles, and went back to her family home to raise them until her marriage. She spent the early years of marriage raising her five daughters and later worked a few years at Seeman Printery. Her main goal in life was to inspire family values and encourage family bonding. Her wisdom, quick wit and advice have been an inspiration to many. Before her declining years her table was full of hot meals for anyone who might drop in. Her family and friends will miss her uplifting worked and laughter. She is predeceased by her parents and husbands, Wiley M. Hair, Glenn Dodson and George Taylor; sister, Lois Simmons; (Wilbert); brothers, David Mathis(Juanita); Kermit (Frances); daughter, Myola Smith (Leon) and their sons, David and Todd; granddaughter, Denise Joyce; and son-in-law, Fred Peter Feudale, grandson, Fred Paul Feudale; stepson, Glenn Dodson, Jr. and great-grandson, Thomas Edward White.

Surviving are her daughters, Wyola Joyce (James), Janet Feudale Nesbitt (Robert), Margaret Poole (Larry), and Catherine Flamion (John “Bud”), and Tamiko Dodson; grandchildren, Page Hardison Feudale; Susan Feudale Bell (Douglas); Theresa Feudale, Karen Feudale May (John); Vonnie, Joe Smith (Sherrie);Ann Smith White (Jim); Dan Smith (Kelly); Sandra Smith, Jimmy Joyce; Vicki Joyce King (Scott); Linda Joyce Griffin; Harold Joyce (Kim); Robin Thompson Mills (Albert); Michele Thompson Burgess; Bobby Thompson (Liz); John “Buddy” Flamion (Donna); Jeanna Flamion Sullivan (Mark); Charles Flamion (Joy), Dr. Jim Dodson (Martha-Helene); forty-four great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

She was a member of Fletchers Chapel Church.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Chapel. Rev. Ed Denton will officiate. Interment will be in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 1 to 2 p.m., before the service at Hudson Funeral Home and other times at the home of John “Bud” Flamion, 2510 Barwick Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity or the Redwood Fire Department or Durham Memorial Baptist Church.

We wish to express our thanks to the staff and caregivers at Croasdaile Pavillion for their dedicated care and to Duke Hospice caregivers and to special caregivers for many years; Teresa Warren, Theresa Feudale, A. Miller, Judy Long and Peggy Locklear, and to family members and friends who spent time with Zeola in her time of need. Their faithful dedication to Mother and family was a daily blessing.