Barbara Ann Dodson

March 1, 1936 - April 9, 2016

Barbara Ann Dodson, of Hot Springs, died Saturday, April 9, 2016. She was born March 1, 1936, in Hot Springs, and was raised by her grandparents, John and Myrtle Hilliard. She was a gifted musician, composer, and teacher. She graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1954, and later from the Sherwood Conservatory of Music, Chicago, Illinois. She was a member of the Musician’s Union, American College of Musicians, Chair of the Hot Springs chapter of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and Past President of the Hot Springs Music Club. She performed many styles of music on piano and organ, and taught students privately in her home for 65 years. She served as a judge of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, touring the nation to evaluate both students and teachers. Her compositions are published by KJOS of San Francisco. She also loved studying and teaching the Bible, reading and writing mystery stories, traveling, working crosswords, playing computer solitaire, and her many students. She is preceded in death by her mother, Dorris Hilliard, and grandparents John and Myrtle Hilliard. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Charles M. Dodson, Sr. of Hot Springs, and sons Chuck Dodson of Hot Springs, and Kelly Dodson of Austin, Texas, and by Frosty, her miniature Schnauzer. Pallbearers are David Miller, Jeremy Whalen, Kelly Braxton, Kevin Rogers, Theron Sunderland, and Zachary Smith. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Randy Hill, Dr. Srinivas Vengala, the 911 EMTs, and members of the Hot Springs Music Club. The family would like to extend a special thanks to all who have been so kind in their messages, gifts, actions, and prayers. Visitation for Mrs. Dodson will be held on Wednesday, April 13th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Hot Springs Funeral Home, and her funeral service will be Thursday, April 14th at 2:00 pm, also at Hot Springs Funeral Home, with Brother Ben Wiles officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Hot Springs.