John Dodson

John O. Dodson

John Orville Dodson, age 85, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2019 at Autumn Care of Waynesville.

A native of Richmond County, Virginia, John was the youngest child of the late Herbert M. and Alma Luttrell Dodson.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sybil Dodson; daughter, Becky Louter; two sisters, Thelma Dodson and Merle Stone; and three brothers, Morris, Edward and Robert Dodson.

John received an associate degree in religion and psychology from Ferrum College and a bachelor’s degree from Union College in history and political science, where he also studied art.  After college he joined The United Methodist Church’s US-2 missionary program, serving at a senior center in Nashville, Tenn.   It was there that he met his future wife, Sybil Marie Rawls.  After completing two years of U.S. Army service in Korea, John returned home and married Sybil.  The couple moved to Calexico, Calif., where they worked together with youth at a community center and began their family.

As their family grew, John and Sybil moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where they worked in outreach programs with youth and senior adults.  John also served as a ceramics apprentice at the Fort Worth Museum of Art with sculptor Evaline Sellors.

After receiving a master’s of social work from the University of Texas, Sybil accepted an offer to direct the Open Door Community Center in Columbus, Ga. John began working with the Columbus Recreation Department, where he shared his love of pottery with children and adults in parks and community centers.  Due to the popularity of John’s programs, the city designated a permanent location for ceramics at the Britt David Studio.  The pottery program he founded has since been expanded to include two additional studios.

In 1988 John and Sybil moved to Brevard when Sybil began work at Brevard College.  John accepted the helm of the pottery program at Rockbrook Camp for Girls, which he guided for 12 years.  The same year, John and Sybil opened Mud Dabber’s Pottery, a shop where the family’s pottery, and works by other local potters, could be sold.  Today both of their sons operate Mud Dabber’s locations, one in Brevard and one in Waynesville.

John retired several times, but never stopped getting his hands muddy.  He continued to assist John and Brad in their pottery production, and even produced small pottery pieces once he entered a skilled nursing facility.  He has been a mentor for numerous potters, providing encouragement and a vast knowledge of ceramics.  Just weeks before his death, it was John’s joy to facilitate a pottery activity for other Autumn Care residents.

Throughout his life, John was known for his gentle demeanor, kind heart and generous spirit.  He loved gardening, caring for animals, sharing his passion for pottery, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  He was a humble and loving man, who through a life well-lived, shaped so much more than clay.

John is survived by a daughter, Beth Williams, and her husband, Stephen, of Rome, Ga.; two sons, John Dodson, and his wife, Carol, of Brevard, and Brad Dodson, and his wife, Judy, of Waynesville; son-in-law, Michael Louter, of Gray, Tenn.; and nine grandchildren, Emily Coffey, Brandon Williams, Jessie Dodson, Cora Dodson, Marna Dodson, John Louter, Andrew Louter, Hanna Louter and Elizabeth Louter.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church in Waynesville. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until service time at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Britt David Pottery Studio, 2700 West Britt David Road, Columbus, GA 31909; Autumn Care of Waynesville, 360 Old Balsam Road, Waynesville, NC 28786 for the residents’ assistance fund or Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church, 98 Elizabeth Chapel Road, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The family would like to thank the staff of Autumn Care for the compassionate assistance they gave John in the last years of his life.

The care of Mr. Dodson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com