Jerry A. Dodson, son of the late Homer A. and Bessie Alice Wilburn Dodson, was born in New Madrid County on March 11, 1935, and died at the Golden Living Center in Bloomfield on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, at the age of 72.

Mr. Dodson had lived in the Parma and Essex areas most of his life. He was a retired farm laborer. He was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are five sons: Dennis and Daniel Dodson, both of Dexter, Kenneth Dodson of Jackson, Derek Dodson of Essex, Darrell Dodson of Gordonville; two daughters, Diane Long of Malden and Debra Maldonado of Mississippi; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Dewayne Dodson of Parma, Travis Dodson of Poplar Bluff, and Benny Joe Dodson of Boone, Iowa; three sisters, Doris Gregg of Parma, June Eddings and Phyllis Kuehle, both of Wappapello.

He was preceded in death by one grandchild; six brothers, Lonnie, Jimmy and Ulis Dodson and three in infancy.

There are no services planned at this time.

Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter is in charge of arrangements.