Susan "Sue" Simmons (Simmons) Dodson

Susan “Sue” Simmons Dodson, 72, was born into Glory on Friday, August 11, 2017 at University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.  Born May 10, 1945 to Lawrence Fletcher and Angeline Wolff Simmons of Cambridge. Sue married the love of her life Lee O. Dodson, Jr. on May 31, 1986.

Sue graduated from North Dorchester High School in 1963 and went on to complete business courses at Salisbury University.  She worked for Cambridge International (Cambridge Wire Cloth) for 35 years with much of that time as a Purchasing Agent.  For a few years, she worked part-time for the Cambridge Moose Lodge 1211 as a bookkeeper.  After retiring, she served as Church Secretary for Zion United Methodist Church and worked part-time for the Dorchester County Board of Education.

Through the years Sue was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 91, Past Senior Regent of the Women of the Moose Chapter 1089, honorary member of Cambridge Rescue Fire Company, and an active member of Zion United Methodist Church.  She was creative and enjoyed being active, taking trips (especially to the beach) with her family, dancing, listening and playing music and working in her flower garden.  Sue had a very strong faith and relationship with the Lord, and she was known for relating the “Pruning Process” to our spiritual growing process.  She raised Karla on the Serenity Prayer, “God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.”  Sue loved to learn and felt that what you learned in one area could be applied to another.  Sue was an inspiration to those who knew her. She had a young, visionary spirit that always worked towards bringing people together, especially her family.  She cherished spending time with her family and loved cooking and entertaining. She and her husband entertained many family reunions, Christmas Parties, Dinners, Thanksgivings and Birthdays.  She was quick to roll up her sleeves to help, and often said, “Many hands make a lighter load.”

Sue is survived by her husband, Lee O. Dodson, Jr, daughter Karla Sue Wilkins (Tom Roe), a son Brian Lee Dodson (Lisa Dodson), a daughter Cathy Gullion (Thomas, Sr.), and son Steven Dodson; grandson Brandon Lee Dodson, granddaughter Tiffany Renee Schmittinger (Ricky Elzey), Thomas Gullion, Jr (Ashley Mowbray), Zachary Gullion, Heather Mansfield (Mike), and great grandchildren Payton Olivia Elzey, Mason Gullion, Maddox Mansfield and McKenna Mansfield; sisters-n-Law Judy Dukes, Phyllis Simmons, Bernice Simmons, JoAnn Knauer (Donald), Rosalie Dolan (Tom), Mildred Phillips, and brother-n-law Herbie Dodson (Faye), cousins Rev. Nancy Soulsman (Bishop Ronald H. Soulsman), H. Rodman Wolff (Rev. Joan C. Wolff) and many special nieces, nephews, friends and her beloved cat Boots.  It is especially important to recognize Sue’s extended family at the University Maryland Medical Center, Lung Transplant Team, Dr. Timofte, Dr. Kim, Dr. Iacono, Dr. Reed, Sharrief, Bonnie, Toami, Dominique, MICU nurse Chloe, Vernon and Ron along with countless others.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers John W.F, William R. “Bill” (MaryAnn), George D., Thomas W. III, Howard B. “Butch” (Julie), and Lawrence F. “Larry” (Shelia) Simmons and two sisters Laura “Lollie” Simmons Cater, and Elisabeth “Betty” Carey (Granville), and Karla’s Father, Elwood R. “Butch” Wilkins.

Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 11AM at Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge, MD.

A Celebration of Sue’s Life will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 12PM at Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge, MD, followed by final resting at Dorchester Memorial Park.  A reception will be given in Sue’s honor by the ZUMC Family.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Dodson, Dicky Simmons, Eddie Howard, Mark Eberspacher, Keith Todd, and Jeff Linthicum. Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Dodson and Eric Simmons.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Zion United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 612 Locust St. Cambridge, MD 21613.  Sue would encourage you to pay it forward by giving the gift of life and becoming an organ donor, www.donatelife.net .