Beverly Theda Kepford

Beverly Theda was born to James Edward and Theda Delvyne (Rock) Dodson, they resided in Riderwood, Maryland.

The family relocated to the City of Baltimore and put down roots in the Medfield Heights community. Beverly was the eldest of six children and attended Robert Poole Elementary School in Hampden and Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School, where she aspired to become a seamstress.

She moved to Fort Myers, Florida in 1985 and became an active member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 351. Having being one of the first bar-maids, when the establishment opened, she experienced numerous fun and happy celebrations and made many good friends. One of her dearest friends and regular patron was Sam Galloway who fondly nicknamed her “Butter Bean”, as she will always be lovingly remembered as.

She enjoyed cooking and tantalized everyone’s taste buds with her talented culinary skills. Her mother was an excellent cook and taught her well. Some of her favorite things to eat and prepare were Maryland style steamed crabs, crab cakes, her famous coleslaw and macaroni salad, fried catfish, and steam shrimp. Her Fried Chicken and mashed potatoes where the families all-time favorite meal. Don’t forget the Dodsons green beans. Don’t forget the Old Bay. And Nothing but Hellmann’s. She enjoyed Maryland sweet corn and big red juicy tomatoes and strawberries. She had a sweet tooth and had a generous supply of candy at her fingertips and plenty to share. Her favorite desserts were Creme Brule, and rice pudding with cream on top.

She had a knack for Poker and would challenge anyone to a hand. Those who played along where quite impressed with her skills and mastery of cleaning up the pots. She took pride and often smiled when she left the table. Nothing thrilled her more than yelling "BINGO." She also loved to travel to Las Vegas & Biloxi, Mississippi where she loved to play the slot machines at the casinos. These most definitely were her very favorite pastimes. Her adventures included traveling to the California, the Caribbeans, Panama Canal, New York City, Niagara Falls, Iowa, Crisfield and Baltimore City Maryland.

She had an eclectic taste in music which included Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, Willie Nelson, George Strait, George Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Janis Joplin, and Def Leppard. Reading Novels also gave her great pleasure. Loved watching movies and often would stay up late enjoying them.

She enjoyed watching golf, Tiger Woods was her favorite. Being a huge fan of the Baltimore Orioles she had the opportunity to meet Mr. Oriole himself, Brooks Robinson. Her football teams were the Baltimore Colts and Ravens.

She loved to shop and always would find the best bargains. She had a taste for fashion and would take great care of her appearance. For those who knew her well knew she was a beautiful woman inside and out.

She had a knack for gardening and was gifted with a green thumb. Roses, Sunflowers, and African Violets were her favorite flowers.

October 1 is the feast day of Saint Therese, the little flower. She is the patron saint of departing parents. She was quoted saying "I want to spend my Heaven in doing good on earth. After my death I will let fall a shower of roses." As Faith would have it, Beverly was in very capable, loving hands and adorned with red roses as she was escorted through the gates of Heaven. She and Gods intercession orchestrated Beverly's departure perfectly from this world.

She is survived by her daughter Carrie Kim Lockner, son Jeffrey Kurt Lockner and wife Denise, daughter Desiree Beverly Lockner-Kohlmeier and husband Frank.

Three grandsons, Nicholas Paul Lockner and wife Melissa, Charles Michael Duvall and wife Ivana, and Kevin Christopher Wilcox; Granddaughters, Kaitlyn Francis Kohlmeier and Emma Francis Kohlmeier.

Great Grandchildren, Taylor Nicole, Nicholas Paul Jr., Noah, Jonah, Harper and Devin

Her brother James Edward Dodson, his wife Beverly, niece Cindy and nephew Jimmy.

Her sister Gloria Pearl Sappington, husband Cris, nephew Cris Jr, niece Nicole, and niece Darlene.

Her brother Dennis Dean Dodson. Preceded by her brother Stephen Douglas Dodson and sister Janice Louise Dodson.

Beverly had two husbands.

The father of her children, Irving Nicholas Lockner, with whom she shared 32 years of marriage, and devotedly stood by her side during her passing. They remained Very Bestest Friends.

Her second husband, Robert Lawrence Kepford, was also an active member of American Legion Post #351. They shared 23 happy years together upon his passing on 9/11/21. May he Rest in Peace.

A Celebration of Life

Sunday, March 3rd, 2024

at 2:00pm

American Legion Post #351

4800 Palm Beach Blvd

Fort Myers, FL

Food and Entertainment to follow. All are invited to attend!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Kepford family.