Judith Ann Dodson

Judith “Judy” Ann Dodson peacefully left this earth to be with her savior on September 14, 2022 at St. Anthony’s Hospital after a brief illness. She was born January 6th, 1944 in Torrence, California, the daughter of Arvill and Vera Carpenter. She was the first baby born in Torrence that year.

Judy graduated from Norman High School in 1962. She was cheerleading for the Norman High Tigers when they won the State Football Championship that year. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she graduated with a secretarial degree in 1964. She married Gary Dodson on December 26th, 1965 at Berry Road Baptist Church in Norman. Gary opened the first health food store in Norman, Dodson’s Nutritional Food Center in 1968. The store remains in business to this day, thanks in large part to Judy’s foresight, perseverance, and encouragement to Gary. Judy was a devoted wife and mother, staying at home to raise their 4 children and provide a warm and hospitable atmosphere in their house. Their family moved from Norman to Noble, OK in 1977 and then moved back to Norman in 1989. After becoming a Christian while a senior in high school, Judy—along with Gary and their children—were active church members. Gary and Judy have been members of Bethel Baptist Church in Norman for 45 years.

Judy’s gift of hospitality came out in cooking birthday/holiday meals for her family, taking family and friends to Branson, MO and spending time with her grandchildren, including annual trips to Grapevine, Texas, that everyone always looked forward to.

Judy is preceded in death by her father Arvill, mother Vera, sister Sandra Busby, and her brother Don Carpenter. She is survived by her husband Gary, daughter Angela Lock and husband Ron, son Shane Dodson and wife Tammi, son Daniel Dodson, and daughter Heather Thompson and husband David, as well as grandchildren Samuel, Jonathan, Mackenzie, and Isaac Dodson, as well as Scarlet, Cosette, and Caspar Thompson.

Those who wish to remember Judith in a special way can make gifts in her memory to her beloved church, Bethel Baptist Church.