Mary Geraldine Dodson

Mary (Geri) Dodson, 93, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 27, 2021. She was born on November 26, 1927 in Heiberger, AL. in Perry County. She was preceded in death by her husband of four years, Douglas Dodson. She is survived by her son, Michael Gary Dodson of Dallas, TX; sister, Sara Tait of New Port Richey, FL; nieces, Marcia Amason of Hoover, AL, Sharon Dailey of Birmingham, AL; Kathy Bichan of Orphir, Scotland and Patricia Hughes of Valley Grande, AL; nephews, Bill Tait of Chicago, IL and Buddy Hughes of Valley Grande, AL.

Growing up on a large farm in Perry County Alabama, Geri at 14 years old took the bus to Birmingham alone to live with her older sister Elaine in 1941. She checked herself into Phillips High School. She was in charge of selling War Bonds to students. She later attended Montevallo College for two years. She went to night school at UAB and completed a Bachelors in Business in 1985.

She met her husband, Doug, at a dance at the Hollywood Country Club and married in 1950 with a honeymoon in Havana, Cuba. She worked in her husband's accounting firm in the Brown Marx Building in downtown Birmingham until his untimely death in 1954. She then went to work as an accountant at U.S. Pipe and Foundry Company for 44 years.

After that she became a Tax Preparer for H&R Block before obtaining a Alabama Real Estate License and working as an agent for First Realty in Rocky Ridge.

She was a long-time member of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. She was secretary/treasurer of the American Society of Women Accountants. She was also treasurer of FDSK (German Club) of Birmingham where she coordinated citywide Octoberfest for the city of Birmingham for many years. In addition, she was an avid golfer, bridge player and entered many dance competitions with Arthur Murray Dance Studios.

She was an avid traveler and with her family and friends traveled to Europe, Russia, South America, Cuba, Central America, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean. She also won many trophies in marksmanship in Women's Competitions.

A public visitation will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 1:00-2:00pm at John Ridout's Elmwood Chapel located at 800 Dennison Ave. SW Birmingham, AL. 35211 with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at Elmwood Cemetery at 2:00pm. Minister Delbert Canterberry will be officiating. John Ridout's Elmwood Chapel directing.