Ray T. "Swanny" Dodson

Ray T. “Swanny” Dodson, 59, of 2528 Sunnycrest Dr., died on Monday, May 25, 2015, at his home. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Prichard officiating. The interment will follow in the Dodson Family Cemetery in Sandy Ridge, NC. Ray was born in Winston-Salem, NC and was the son of the late, Clyde Hampton and Dorothy Pyrtle Dodson. He was a lifetime resident of Reidsville, graduated from Reidsville High School and later received his BS in Physical Education from Elon College. Ray was an avid golfer playing both high school and collegiate golf. He began his lifelong career with BETA Fueling Systems and just celebrated his 37 years of faithful service to the company. He was a longtime and faithful member and former Governor of the Reidsville Moose Lodge, 899 and most recently served as the Exalted Ruler of the Reidsville Elks Lodge, BPOE #1723. Swanny was a true “Champion” of causes, raising thousands of dollars over the years for various charities and people in need. He was most famous for the Dodson Family Stew and the “Leo Bashes” held annually at the Reidsville Elks Lodge. When he met Ruth, he always said that he had found the love of his life and that he was so happy to have Sarah, Chris and Hayden in his life. Ray is survived by his wife, Ruth Williams Dodson of the home; stepchildren, Sarah Thompson and Chris Cobb of the home; granddaughter, Hayden Thompson of the home; his brother, Roy Dodson of Reidsville; his aunts, Christine Wall and husband, Gene and Rachel Dodson; uncles, Lewis Dodson and wife, Carrie Ruth, Melvin Dodson and wife, Pencie, Wendell Dodson, Barry Dodson and wife, Robbin, David Ore and wife, Chris and Earle Sullivan and wife, Rebecca; and a large extended family. The family will see friends on Wednesday evening, May 27th from 6-8 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at the home. Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006.