Mary M. Dodd's Obituary
Mary Margaret McCarroll Dodd passed away at the age of 106 years on November 3, 2025 at her home in Wheeler, TX. Mary Margaret was born August 19, 1919 to John and Martha (Mattie) Webb McCarroll in Durant, Oklahoma. Six weeks after her birth, her father loaded the family, which included two older brothers John Jr. (June) and Bill, into a roadster vehicle and headed to a recently purchased farm/ranch in northern Wheeler County...”she got to Texas as soon as she could.” Later the couple added Thearne, who died in infancy, and Fred (Bud).
In the 1930’s John spearheaded a drive to consolidate several small rural schools into Briscoe ISD and it was here that Mary Margaret met Grady Dodd who became the love of her life. After a year at Texas Woman’s University, her newly purchased best dress for college would become her wedding dress for their marriage on September 10, 1938. Except for a brief stint in Amarillo, Mary Margaret and Grady spent their entire lives on the family farm in northern Wheeler County until their retirement in the 1980’s. Grady preceded her in death in 1992.
Mary Margaret was an historian –to the communities of Gageby, Briscoe, Wheeler; a model –to her family, friends, and neighbors of an ideal woman, wife, mother, confidante, and spiritual voice; a treasure—to all who knew her as a fount of facts, history, wisdom and the pathway the nation has trod in the last century. Lastly, Mary Margaret was an inspiration and a blessing to her family and friends, her church, and her community. A true legacy!
Mary Margaret enjoyed being a member of the Home Demonstration Club, especially with her lifelong friend Katie Finsterwald, and the United Methodist Women (UMW), and in retirement being hostess and chauffeur for her social group who enjoyed weekly card and domino games. Later in life, she enjoyed sharing her candy kisses, her songs and laughter with visitors and caregivers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, a son-in-law John D. Foreman and a daughter-in-law Rosemary Boyd Dodd.
Lovingly known as Mary Margaret, Mom, Granny, Great Granny, Great-Great Granny, and Mama Dodd, she is survived by her son C. G. Dodd, daughters Jacquelyn Foreman and Diane (Jack) Cody. Other survivors include four grandchildren Sharee (Gary) Nieder, Lisa (Paul) Bentley, Joel (Laura) Dodd, and Laurie (Jon) Cox: eight great-grandchildren, Jessica (Robert) Ivy, Ashley (Casey) Kennedy, Brandon (Morgan) Dodd, Brandi Dodd, Bradley Dodd, Evaine (Stephen) Crane, Graham (Madeline) Nieder, and Micah Nieder; fourteen great-great grandchildren, and two nieces Dee (David) Turner and Sabina McCarroll, and nephew Fred J. (Eloisa) McCarroll.
The family extends a special thanks and heartfelt gratitude to the ladies who have cared for and loved Mary Margaret in the last few years: Tracy Burton, Mindy Chavez, Brooke White, Aida Ontiveros, Jennifer Guzman, Holly Yates, and Diane Roberts; and to her neighbors Gene and Judy Coward.
Services are Saturday, November 8, 2025 under the direction of Robertson Funeral Home, Wheeler, Texas with a family burial in the Wheeler Cemetery at 11:00, and a memorial service at Wheeler Methodist Church at 1:30 with visitation to follow in the church Fellowship Hall. Serving as pallbearers are Joel Dodd, Paul Bentley, Casey Kennedy, Robert Ivy, Brandon Dodd, and Bradley Dodd. Honorary pallbearers are Gary Nieder, Jon Cox, Ike Finsterwald, LA Walker, Keith Horn, Bob Martin and Walter Hand.
To honor her memory wear her favorite color: PINK! Memorials may be made in her honor to the Wheeler Methodist Church, Wheeler Meals on Wheels or Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.
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