Oneta Melba Dodson
November 30, 1935 - April 5, 2022

     Miss Oneta Melba Dodson of Trumann, AR walked out of the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice house into the open arms of her savior on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at the young age of 86 years, 4 months and 6 days.  With Him she will spend her eternity whole, able, and in peace, free from the restrictions of her wheelchair and this Earthly world.     Miss Dodson was born in the rural community of Timbo, AR to the late J.E. and Rosa (Meridith) Dodson on Saturday, November 30, 1935, and was a lifelong resident of Trumann, AR. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Trumann, as well as a retired employee of the Singer Company and Baldwin Piano. She focused her life around her church family, her Meridith and Dodson families, and her friends and looked forward to holidays, especially Christmas. She made many friends throughout her life and reconnected with lost family along the way, always having a story to tell with her sense of humor shining through.     Miss Dodson was a long-term resident of Quail Run Health and Rehab in Trumann and was cared for greatly by the staff who lovingly referred to her as “G-ma”, where she also made many friends. She was a sassy, fun lady who always sought the good side in all things, strived to do her best in all that she was involved and loved to share her sense of humor.  Despite her health conditions, her faith in God never wavered and she never stopped trying to shine her light so that others could find their way.  “Believe” was her favorite word and what she chose to live by. “Sometimes things happen and you just gotta get up and keep on moving” was an often-heard phrase from her. She was a strong-willed lady who persevered through many trials from which others gained inspiration and hope and have great memories of her to cherish.  Her mission was to be a positive influence to others and help those in need whenever possible.      Miss Dodson is welcomed into heaven by her parents, J.E. and Rosa (Meridith) Dodson, brothers Junius Dodson, Ernest Dodson and sister Namoma (Dodson) Young, uncle Tom and aunt Goldie (Keel) Meridith, aunt Dessie (Meridith) Cook, cousins Shirley Meridith, Pauline (Meridith) Coker, June (Meridith) Whitmire, Charles Meridith and Tom Meridith. She also joins nieces and nephews Troy Dodson, Don Dodson, Vearl Dodson, Imogene (Dodson) Williams, and Ernie Dodson.     Miss Dodson leaves behind members from her Dodson family including nephew Ken Dodson of California, nieces Bernice (Dodson) Price of Missouri, and Dee (Dodson) Pierce of California. She also leaves behind her family members from the Meridith family including cousins Dianne Meridith of Trumann, Jerry Meridith of Tennessee, and Letty Thompson of Trumann and an extensive group of cousins, nieces and nephews from both the Dodson and Meridith families.     A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Thompson’s Funeral Home in Trumann, AR at Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. wiith Pastor Sarah Ellzey of the First United Methodist Church in Trumann officiating. Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Burial will be private.     For lasting memorials, please consider the First United Methodist Church in Trumann.     Online guest book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net