Emma Lou Dodson

Emma Lou Dodson was born September 5, 1924 and passed away October 1, 2020.  She was married for 71 years to her high school sweetheart, James Dodson, Sr. whom she lost in 2015 at the age of 94. They met at Collette Park while she was playing tennis. She is survived by  daughter and son-in-law, Teri and Jim Evans and son and daughter-in-law, Jim, Jr., and Deborah Dodson. At 96, Emma, said goodbye to her grandchildren, Chris Evans and wife Cathy , Karyllan who married Joseph Mack, Brad Dodson and wife, Jill, and Kurt Dodson with wife, Sara. She also had seven great-grandchildren:  Ellyse and Patrick Mack, Ben, Evan and Rowan Dodson and Cayla Evans, Patrick Spalding, and great-great grandson Liam Spalding.  Her surviving first cousins by marriage are Sondra (Mrs.Bert)Nelson and Donna Dimos.  The cousins on her mother's side are Connie Purdue, Russell Fowler and Van Kavanagh of Washington, In. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Octavia Batchelor who ran Batchelor's Truck Stop Restarurant which is at the present day Coffee Cup location.  She grew up assisting her folks with the business. Then after high school, she attended Columbia College. Her  marriage to Jim, Sr. just happened to occur on D-Day!

Jim and Emma Dodson, both graduates from Garfield High School, were members of Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, where they were married in 1944. She supported the church in various ways for 80 yrs., attending as a high schooler, participating in Sunday School and child care, supporting a myriad of church activities and belonging to Mary Martha Circle. Terre Haute was always their home.  Emma had various jobs, but her most rewarding one was being appointed the first woman Purchasing Agent for Indiana State University, where she worked until she retired.  She was respected for her work ethic and attention to detail.

She was an avid supporter  of ISU basketball, a golfer and bowler on the Elk’s league.  She was a member of the Woman's Department Club for 34 years. Past President Marcia Meyers said that Emma served on many committees but her special love was for the Garden and Nature Study Department where she served as Chairman, Treasurer and hostess. She was also Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, organizing many events for fund-raising. Another Past President, Carolyn Jeffiries commented that Emma was one of the most dedicated members of all time helping at the club as Hostess and attending if not participating in the club's many style shows.

She will be remembered for her integrity, devotion to family, love of her pets and the outdoors, including fishing with her husband. Needless to say, she was one of our few remaining members of “the Greatest Generation”, you couldn't miss her social grace or classy style- lovely at every age.

All services will be held at Callahan's Funeral Home, 605 South 25 ^th St., Terre Haute. A visitation will be held Sunday October 4, from 3-5:00 P.M. The funeral will be Monday the 5 ^th at 3:00 P.M. , followed by internment at Rose Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, 1203 Maple Ave., 47804, or Woman's Department Club at 507 So. 6 ^th Street, Terre Haute,47807. Due to the Covid situation, there will be no church dinner.