Heather Dodds

Heather Dawn Dodds, 35, of Wellston, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly at her home. She was born in Steubenville, Ohio, March 16, 1980, to the late Harry R. Dodds and Donna F. Souchak Rife, of Wellston, who survives. She moved to Athens in 1996 to finish her junior year in high school and later earned her GED through Buckeye Hills Adult Education program. She attended Rio Grande University and Hocking College. She was blessed to travel to many states with her beloved and faithful black lab, Buddy, who was her baby. While living in Savannah, she was the photographer for the Savannah Sabers, a women's tackle football team. Returning to Ohio to be near her family and friends, she worked extensively in Gallia and Jackson counties as a STNA and was an activities director for various nursing facilities. She was a firm believer in yearly blood donation and being an organ donor. She was a former youth director at Calvary Connection Church in Wellston. Besides her father, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Vivian and Bob Hepner; favorite uncle, Irvin Dodds; maternal grandparents, Doris and Nick Souchak; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and church family. Besides her mother, she is survived by her step- father, Dallas Rife; a brother, Harold E.R. Dodds, of Glendale-Phoenix, AZ; a step-sister, Tawnya Massie, of Jackson; a step- brother, Charles K. ( Cheryl) Rife of Gallipolis; close family friend, Brenda Clarkson, of Jackson; four nieces and two god children, Noodle and Carson Vickers, for whom she had a special love; and two aunts, Yvonne( Charles) Davis of Castle Dale, Utah, and Barbara J. Taylor of Florida. Heather requested cremation follow her death. The family will have a final tribute to Heather at their convenience.