Lois Blair Dodson

Lois Evelyn Whitehorn was born to Samuel Howard and Sophia Smith Whitehorn on December 1, 1924, in Myrtle, Mississippi. She was the fifth child of twelve—six girls and six boys. She passed away on August 10, 2024, in Collierville, Tennessee, at the age of 99.

She grew up on the family farm during the Great Depression and graduated from Myrtle High School in 1942. Always a person to take advantage of education opportunities, she attended Draughon’s Business College in Jackson, Mississippi. Upon graduation she went to work at the Alabama Dry Dock and Ship Building Company in Mobile, Alabama. While living at the Whistler Boarding House she met Paul Blair who was also employed in defense work. The couple became friends before Paul was drafted into the army and their courtship during the war was conducted by letters as so many others of that generation.

When Paul returned from overseas duty they were married on March 9, 1946, and were stationed at a variety of posts until 1948 when Paul was discharged from active duty. Taking advantage of the GI bill they moved to Mississippi State for Paul to begin his college education in 1948. From 1947 to 1957 the couple had three children—Melba, Steve, and Nancy.

Lois was a devoted partner to Paul while he was in school and she was employed in several jobs to supplement the funding received through the GI bill. With her encouragement and support, he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Mississippi State and received his PhD from the University of Florida in 1960. At that time the family returned to Mississippi State where he was employed as a professor in the department of Agricultural Economics.

With Paul’s full support, Lois enrolled at Mississippi State in 1966 to finally pursue her dream of a college education. Tragically the sudden and untimely death of Paul in the summer of 1967 devastated the family and a period of shock and adjustment followed. After a year Lois returned to Mississippi State as a full-time student and received her Bachelor’s Degree in library science 1972 followed by her Master’s Degree in 1973. She was employed by Mississippi State, Mississippi University for Women, and Lowndes County Schools before her retirement in 1986.

Several years after Paul’s death Lois met J.W. Dodson from Columbus, Mississippi, and their friendship led to marriage on December 23, 1973. He was a good stepfather to her children and a wonderful papaw to the grandchildren. He predeceased her in death on May 11, 2012, at the age of 97.

Lois was always devoted to her family and to her church. She especially loved her family at the Highland Church of Christ where she was a member the last 12 years of her life after moving to Tennessee.

Lois enjoyed travel and among the highlights of her trips was seeing the tulips outside of Amsterdam in the spring, visiting Butchart Gardens, touring Bastogne, and visiting the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Honolulu. Well into her nineties she could be found at an exercise class, playing with her great-grandchildren at a park, attending school activities and birthday parties, and climbing a tree to pick the perfect peach. She enjoyed playing dominoes and cards. A lifelong Mississippi State Bulldog fan, she enjoyed ringing her cowbell and cheering during football games.

She is survived by her children, Melba (Mike) Justice of Maryland, Steve Blair of Collierville, Tennessee, and Nancy (Steve) Glover of Cordova, Tennessee. She is also survived by five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Dot Trimm of Collierville, Tennessee, and Lovie Johnson of Elberta, Alabama.

A celebration of life service will be held in the chapel at Highland Church of Christ located on Houston-Levee Road in Cordova, Tennessee on August 19, 2024. The family will receive visitors from 10 until 11 with the service following. Graveside services will be held at Oktibbeha Memorial Gardens in Starkville, Mississippi, on August 20 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Highland Church of Christ Missionary Fund, 400 North Houston Levee Road, Cordova, TN 38018.