Obituary for Devena Dodson, 72

March 24,1946 To April 01,2016,

Visitation
5 to 7 PM, Tuesday, April 5 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette.

Funeral Services
11 AM, Wednesday, April 6 @ Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette.

Interment
Mount Pleasant Cemetery - North A, Higbee, MO

Memorials
Mount Pleasant Cemetery or Cancer Research in care of funeral home.

Devena (Dee) Sue Dodson, of Columbia, Missouri, slipped quietly away at Boone Hospital surrounded by her family on April 1, 2016, following a six year battle with cancer. She was 70 years old. Devena was born on March 24, 1946 in Higbee, MO, to Ira and Azile (Lewis) Dougherty. She was one of five children. She graduated from Fayette High School with honors on May 26, 1964. Following graduation, she attended business classes in Kansas City, returning to Fayette upon completion of her studies. On December 3, 1970, she married Clarence (Gene) Dodson. Together they raised two children and Devena was stepmother to Gene’s 5 other children. Over the years she filled various business related positions, finally retiring in 2014 from Columbia Housing Authority after 20 years of service. She was known for her attention to detail and dependability. In addition to her career, Devena was an accomplished seamstress who sewed clothing for herself and her family as well as a skilled needlewoman, having created many beautiful embroidery pieces. She was a voracious reader in her spare time, rarely seen without a book in progress. Also, she was an epic cook and collector of recipes, often creating dishes for her co- workers and family, much to their delight. Devena was a hard- working individual, who loved to spend time with her friends and family. She had an outgoing personality and you always knew where you stood with her. Devena is survived by her children: Dawn (Eric) Heese of Columbia, MO and Derrick (Jaime) Dodson of Harrisburg, MO; three grandchildren, Datroyt Williams, Braeden Williams and Allie Dodson. Also surviving are three brothers and one sister: Zed (Evelyn) Dougherty of Boonville MO, Lee (Rachel) Dougherty of Fayette MO, Frank Dougherty of Fayette, MO, and Gail (Kenny) Stubbs of West Plains, MO. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Clarence (Gene) Dodson. A visitation is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6 at Friemonth- Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, MO. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church, State Route A, Higbee, MO. Pallbearers will be Derrick Dodson, Zed Dougherty, Eric Hampton, Danny Dougherty, Datroyt Williams and Braeden Williams. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer Research or Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association.