Mary Nell Dodd, age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at her residence.  Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, she was the daughter of the late Faye Kesterson Dawes and Clyde Lee Dawes, Sr. A proud graduate of Dollarway High School in Pine Bluff, Mary Nell went on to attend Arkansas State Teacher College. On March 31, 1961, Mary Nell married the love of her life, David L. Dodd, in Pine Bluff. Together, they shared 35 beautiful years of marriage and friendship until his passing in 1996. She was a member of Hardin Baptist Church for many years. After retiring from Entergy, Mary Nell relocated to Springdale to be closer to her daughter. Although she missed her friends in Pine Bluff, she embraced her new life in Northwest Arkansas. She became a member of First United Methodist Church. Mary Nell loved to travel and visited every country on her bucket list. She especially loved cruises, her favorite being the Alaskan cruises. She also loved to play cards and was known for her prowess at the poker table. She enjoyed lunching with friends and shopping of all kinds. Mary Nell was the epitome of a true southern belle, never leaving the house without her lipstick and earrings. Mary Nell also helped out at her daughter's office, earning the title of Queen of Spreadsheets. She was integral to the company and enjoyed helping out while visiting with the clientele. She was extremely generous and committed to helping those that she could. She sewed close to 500 'little dresses' for girls in Ghana and other countries. She also created hundreds of reusable feminine products for young ladies in these countries, so they'd be able to attend school. She also supported the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.  Mary Nell was preceded in death by her loving husband, David L. Dodd.

She is survived by her daughter, Cyndy Dodd Tripp and husband, Chuck of Springdale, Arkansas; two siblings, Carolyn Dawes Nicholson of Sapulpa, Oklahoma and Clyde Lee Dawes, Jr. and wife Barbara of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2025 at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel in Springdale. The interment will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2025 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.