Family Tree
Three generations around Ruth Ann
Sibling
Robert Bessinger
b. 1968
Sibling
William Homer Dodson
1887 — 1972
Sibling
Chere Dawn Bessinger
b. 1972
Sibling
Priscilla Mayberry
1804 — 1884
Sibling
Antonia E. Ferguson
d. 1942
Sibling
Frances Marie Cheatham
1934 — 2011
Sibling
Lacy Oscar Abshier
b. 1895
Sibling
Ethel Abshier
b. 1892
Sibling
Martha E. Robertson
1870 — 1954
Sibling
Mildrew P. Burrus
—
Sibling
Inant King
—
Sibling
Lloyd Hues Pennell
1903 — 1922
Sibling
Vena K. Reed
1883 — 1971
This record
Ruth Ann Dodson
1942 — 2023
Vital Events
Dates and Places
- Born3 NOV 1942 · Magnolia, AR
- Died5 SEP 2023 · Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas
- SexFemale
Notes
Research Notes
Ruth Ann Wilson Dodson Gentry
of Fayetteville was born November 3, 1942, in Magnolia and died September 5, 2023, in Springdale. She was predeceased by her parents, John William Dodson and Annie Ruth Askew Dodson, and is survived by her husband, George Alexander Gentry, Jr. of Fayetteville; daughter, Ruth Manon Wilson of Fayetteville; son, John Morgan Wilson and his wife, Erin Wilson; grandchildren, Melissa and Emmaryn Wilson of West Fork; step-daughter Kerry Leigh Hayes of Fayetteville; and step-grandchildren Nathan Lee and Clifford James "C. J." Hayes of Rogers; and many family and friends.
She had a BSHE from the U of A. She loved her 43-year career as a librarian working at the Springdale Public Library and Mullins Library at the University of Arkansas. Over time, she belonged to AAUW, DAR, UDC, Girl Scouts, 4-H, NWA Library Association, and NWA Volkswagen Association. Member of First United Methodist of Springdale for over 55 years and Farmington United Methodist for six. Nature was the reason for Ruth Ann's belief in God, and she was a Christian because you're accepted by grace.
Ruth Ann was a life-long learner, a helper, and an optimist. She minded everyone's business and genuinely wanted good things for you. Family was the most important thing. She relished their visits and looked forward to the next. She loved them all fiercely and worried about them incessantly.
Her service will be held at Farmington United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 25th. The service will also be streamed. Instead of flowers, please donate to Farmington UMC or your local library.
To make an online tribute, share a memory, or express condolences, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.