Winifred Lee Dodds, age 76, of Early passed away Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at Hendrick Medical Center after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at First Baptist Church in Early. Bro. Eddie Ailshie accompanied by Bro. Rick Justice will hold the services, and burial will follow in Eastlawn Memorial Park. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. today at Heartland Funeral Home.
Winifred was born December 10, 1934, in Burnet Co. to Marshel and Lizzie Dodds. He graduated from Early High School and Howard Payne University. He went on to receive his master’s degree at Hardin-Simmons University. Winifred married the love of his life Shirley Boyd at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Holder, Texas on December 20, 1957. They were married almost fifty-four wonderful years.
Winifred had never seen a six-man football game until coaching at Norton, and the superintendent said he was the best first year teacher he ever had. His teaching and coaching career also included: Jim Ned, Buffalo Gap, and Veribest. At Noodle-Horn he coached, was principal, and superintendent. While coaching there, he received the honor in 1971 as “Basketball Coach of the Year” for Abilene West Texas Area. He also was superintendent at Paint Creek, Jonesboro, and Blanket with a total of 34 years in the public school systems. Winifred then was a student teacher’s supervisor for 16 years at Howard Payne University. He was one of four brothers who were all superintendents at the same time, and they hold the record for serving the most years for one family in the State of Texas. Wanting to stay involved with students even after he retired from public schools in 1989, he served as an interim superintendent for five different public school systems.
Winifred was a member of the First Baptist Church of Early. He loved to play cards and dominoes and especially enjoyed playing 88 with the senior citizen’s group at his church.
Survived by wife, Shirley, son Delbert Dodds and his wife Jan of Dalhart; two daughters Leta Salazar and husband Tony of Brownwood, and Veonna Doremus and husband Mark of Early. Grandchildren include: Tyler and Blake Dodds; Stephen and Lauren Salazar; Netticia Rainey and husband Hank, Mitchell Doremus and wife Amary and Brandon Doremus. Also, great-grandchildren are Kinsler Doremus, and Taylor and Ty Rainey, and his special Chinese Pug, Korky.
His brothers are Marlin Dodds of Thorndale, Bobby Dodds and wife Martha of San Angelo, Roy Dodds and wife Maedean of Lake Brownwood; sisters are Dortha Wyatt of Crowley, Irene Shrum of Pahrump, Nevada, Marie Rachels of Hurst, twin sister Winnia Bee Pruitt of Burleson, and sister-in-law Mildred Dodds of Brownwood preceding in death by his parents and brother Olan Dodds and three brother-in-laws.
The family request memorials be made to the charity of choice.
