Lucille Dodds

Throughout her life, Lucille was deeply beloved and cherished, known for a steady, hard-working spirit that shaped both her family life and her years of dedicated service. She found joy in cooking, baking and fishing. She followed NBA basketball with enthusiasm, and loved gospel music—especially singing. She also delighted in playing Keno in Vegas, embracing life’s pleasures with a warm, appreciative heart.

Lucille’s working life reflected determination and quiet strength from the very beginning. Her first job was at a local ice cream shop, where she learned how to run a small business. She later worked as a newspaper model in Wisconsin, appearing in advertisements for furs and elegant dresses. Lucille went on to become the first woman hired by a large shipping and receiving company, opening the door for other women to follow.

By the 1950s, she moved to California to be with her sister, Vonceal. Together, they worked for Barron and Marilyn Hilton. Lucille served as a live-in nanny, while Vonceal worked as one of the Hilton family chauffeurs.

Lucille then devoted 30 years of service to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, working in several positions, primarily in Environmental Services. When the hospital opened its dedicated HIV/AIDS unit in 1990, she was the first person to volunteer to work there. Her warmth, compassion, and devotion earned her the affectionate name “Mother” among many of the patients and staff. In recognition of her exceptional commitment, Lucille was the first employee at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to be named employee of the year twice.

Lucille is survived by her children, Lisa Morris and her spouse Rucker of Spring, Texas, and Cornell Dodds and his spouse Kimberly Damita Dodds of Porter, Texas; as well as 2 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Benny Morris and Carrie Shaw of Dermott, Arkansas; her grandparents Lela Coakley Whitley and Lester Morris as well as her granddaughter, Jenell Del Carmen Dodds; and her siblings, Vonceal Neal, Thomas-Lee Smith, Albert B. Morris JR, Jeremiah McCohn, Josiah McCohn, and Ivory Morris.