Judith Dodd

Judith Irene Dodd (“Mimi”), 78, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at her home in Haltom City, Texas surrounded by loving family and friends after a long battle with cancer.  She was born on December 31, 1943, in Houston, Texas to Alfred “Pete” and Elizabeth “Libby” (Thompson) Bragg.

A military brat, Judith grew up in Spokane before the family settled back in Fort Worth, Texas.  She graduated as Judie Bragg from Fort Worth’s Polytechnic High School in May 1962.  She had her first whirlwind romance in high school and first child, Lisa in August 1963.  Later that year she ran across an acquaintance from high school at a party and started dating Frank Richard Lain, Jr.  The two were married November 5, 1964, having two additional children, Stephanie Ruth in October 1968, and Frank “Pete” Richard III in November 1970.

Judith carried her early love of biology and chemistry into a future in medicine and the nursing profession where she worked for over 50 years.  She attended nursing school at Tarrant County Junior College in Fort Worth where she received her associates degree in nursing and LVN certification through All Saints Hospital in March 1967.  She continued her career and post graduate studies while raising a family, achieving her RN certification in March 1977.

She married George Wallace Bell June 1, 1979, and moved to Littlefield, Texas later that summer with Lisa, Stephanie, and Frank in tow to work in nursing administration at Littlefield Medical Center.

The late 70’s and early 80’s was an evolutionary period for the hospital landscape in Texas.  Her career took her all over the state including Hurst, Littlefield, Texarkana, Port Arthur, Burleson and back to Fort Worth, including stints at Hurst General, Harris Methodist and John Peter Smith Hospitals.  She worked in all aspects of nursing, critical care, nursing administration and management throughout her career, teaching courses for department heads and training at all facilities along the way.  Over time she transitioned into nursing administration, but her love of patient care took her back into the ICU and eventually into home health care with Olsten-Kimberly in 1985.  She continued home health and hospice care with a variety of companies including Interlink, Lifeline and finally for Always Better Care Home Health.  She continued care and made medical arrangements her last few patients even after Always Better Care filed bankruptcy in 2018, retiring in 2019.

Judith was involved much of her life with the Greater Fort Worth American Legion Post 516.  She was active in Legion activities throughout her life along with her mother and children, attending bingo, fundraisers, Veteran’s Day Parades and frequently dancing the night away in Cobb Park and later in their newer location on Manhattan Blvd in East Fort Worth.  She is a past President with American Legion Auxiliary Unit 516 and served as Secretary and Treasurer for the ALA 12th district in her day.

Always a lover of music and dance, she would go out for fun when she had the chance.  She met her last husband, Ronald “Ronnie” Dodd, at American Legion Post 516 while he played music with his band, Almost Country. A year after George’s death, their paths crossed again by accident while out with her friend, Paula Gail, at the Pink Poodle in Fort Worth.  Sparks flew and a romance ensued, followed by their marriage at Post 516 on November 6, 1989.

She never met a stranger, and her door was always open.  Her favorite bible quote was “Be Not Forgetful to Entertain Strangers, as Some Have Entertained Angels Unaware” Heb 13:2.  She was an angel.  Family, friends, friends of friends, and oftentimes strangers were always welcome at her door.  She always found a way to put food on the table for everyone in her home and ensured family and neighbors alike were always fed.  Holidays were especially happy times for all, as you could always count on a great meal and one of her famous chocolate cakes.

She was an avid reader, crafter, painter, sewer, knitter and ardent crocheter.  She dedicated her last days to family and ensuring all current and future babies would be guaranteed a crocheted baby blanket “made with love by Mimi.”

Judith was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Libby Bragg, her siblings John Bragg, Jerry Bragg, and Janice (Bragg) Clayton, her first husband Frank Lain, Jr., her second husband George W. Bell and many other lifelong friends and family.

Judith is survived by her spouse Ronald of Haltom City, Texas; her daughter Lisa Cleveland of Euless, Texas; her daughter Stephanie Lain-Waldon (Stephen) Hengy of Jacksonville, Texas; son Frank (Kristine) Lain III of Lakeland, Florida; grandchildren Amanda (Peter) Spence, Kent Cleveland, Brandon Cleveland, Christopher (Brandi Beckwith) Waldon, Frank (Alysa) Lain IV, Katie Lain (Dustin) Tidbeaux, Jordan (Morgan) Cleveland, Samantha Waldon, Tanner (Haven) Cleveland, Kaitlinda Cleveland, and Kylie Lain; her great-grandchildren Brooklynn (Braydon) Cleveland, Caleb Wallace, Kenneth “Trey” Cleveland III, Averie Lain, Quinn Spence, Nolan Lain, Leighton Cleveland, Emory Cleveland, Baylor Lain, Finn Jack Albert Waldon, and Lexi Irene Cleveland; her niece Laura Herron and nephew David Jaquess.

A visitation will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home at 10:00am Thursday, October 27, 2022.  A graveside service will follow at Emerald Hills Memorial Park at 1:00pm.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Tender Heart Hospice Care for their support and care through the last three months of her life. They worked tirelessly to ensure that our blessed Mimi was comfortable and surrounded by love, and we are forever grateful.

If you had not have fallen

Then I would not have found you

Angel flying too close to the ground!

And I patched up your broken wing

And hung around a while,

Tried to keep your spirits up

And your fever down.

I knew someday that you would fly away

For love's the greatest healer to be found.

So leave me if you need to,

I will still remember

Angel flying too close to the ground!

Fly on, fly on past the speed of sound!

I'd rather see you up,

Than see you down

Leave me if you need to,

I will still remember

Angel flying too close to the ground!

Willie Nelson