Rev. Sherman and Gladys Dodd, Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitted by: Joe Doughty

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REMEMBERING SHERMAN & GLADYS DODD

     Sherman Edgar Dodd was born on August 9, 1898, in Zimmerman,
Louisiana.  His father, originally from East Texas, worked for the
sawmill there, and his mother came from a family native to
Rapides Parish.  Poppa was the oldest of four: one sister and two
brothers.  Both of his parents died long before he and Mother married. 
His mother was a victim of the flue epidemic that followed World War I.
     Poppa joined the army prior to WWI and served in south Texas, guarding
against raids by Pancho Villa and other Mexican bandits.  Later he went
to France. After Pearl Harbor he was a Marine recruiter.  I have a few
pictures from those days.
     Poppa was a salesman.  He sold beauty and barber supplies calling on
Grandpa was how he met Mother) and major appliances.  Before he and
Mother married, he traveled.
     But most of us remember him as a preacher, a good one.  He was ordained
January 24, 1923, by the First Baptist Church of San Antonio, Texas.  I
have his handwritten ordination papers as well as his sermon notes.  He
preferred to pastor small rural churches.  He loved to be
involved in a building program (such as the one at Paradise, near Ball,
LA. and at Baptist Temple on Mac Arthur Drive in Alexandria) and he
always started a newsletter and bulletin, printed on his very own
memeograph machine at home. His interim pastorates at Bentley and at
Meredith Heights in Alexandria lasted a long time.
     Momma (Ruby Gladys Doughty Dodd) was born at Manifest on December
9, 1914.  She was the daughter of our grandparents, Thompson and Gussie
Wright Doughty, and was the first of their seven children.  She finished
beauty school  and most often worked in her own shop at home.  (Aunt
Jane and Aunt Dottie) both worked with her during World War II.  Once,
when we lived in Minden, Momma worked with Poppa, demonstrating the
appliances he sold.
     After I left home, they would travel around the state so Poppa could
take pictures that were later used on the front of church bulletins. 
Every Sunday, I see the one he took for Tallulah First Baptist.
     Momma and Poppa were married in Harrisonburg on February 22, 1939.  I
was their only child, but they had two grandsons (one born the day
before their 25th wedding anniversary), and now have three
great-grandsons they did not live to see.
     From the early fifties until their deaths, Momma and Poppa lived in
Alexandria.  Poppa died in December, 1972.  Momma died in April, 1977. 
They are buried in Forest Lawn in Pineville.
     I suppose both of my parents talked about their childhood's and growing
up. Like most youngsters, I paid little attention and I never wrote any
of those stories down.  I regret that now, and I hope the younger
members of our family will learn from my mistake.
                          Reba Duncan, Daughter of Sherman & Gladys Dodd