Della Dodson

Mrs. Della Marie Dodson was born on May 15, 1947, in the Science Hill community of Pulaski County, Kentucky, daughter of the late Delbert and Carrie Hammond Taylor. Her early years were marked by growing up in a large, loving family of twelve siblings on a farm on Bourbon Road in Somerset, Kentucky. Throughout her childhood and teenaged years, Della’s family were active in the Slate Branch Baptist Church where she came to know Jesus and received Him as her Lord and Savior.

A gifted singer, Della sang alto in a popular local gospel group. While singing in a church one evening, she met a handsome young preacher named Noel Dodson. They developed a friendship that later turned into a dating relationship and engagement. On May 7, 1965, the two were united in marriage, and two days later, they began serving their first church as pastor and wife. God blessed them with a daughter, son, four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

Della was a proud Ferguson High School graduate and an alumnus of Somerset Community College. She became known as a consummate pastor’s wife and quintessential homemaker and cook. She won baking competitions and took home blue ribbons for her culinary entries. Many people enjoyed meals in the Dodson home and her gracious hospitality.

Alongside her husband, Della served as pastor’s wife to churches in Pulaski, Rockcastle, Jackson, and Casey Counties. Beyond the churches, she actively served the Baptist associations and the communities where they ministered.

Her final years of life were a true testimony to God’s grace as she was “grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of (her) faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). She endured the loss of her husband, youngest grandchild, and more than a decade of declining health. Through all this, she continued to love and serve her Savior, family, and friends.

Mrs. Della Dodson passed from her earthly life to the presence of her Lord on December 21, 2025. She was 78 years, 7 months, and 7 days of age at the time of her passing. She is survived by her beloved children, Alan (and Amy) Dodson, and Lillian (and Billy) Norris, of Somerset; the grandchildren she adored, Allison (and Ross) Buskey, of Lexington, Grant Norris and Allistair Dodson, of Somerset; and a great-granddaughter, Emma Graham Buskey, of Lexington.

She is also survived by her brother, Leonard (and Arlene) Taylor; sisters, Anna Pearl McKee, and Jeanie (and Billy) Taylor; sisters-in-law, Janice Dodson, and Brenda Taylor, each of Somerset; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Della in death is her husband; her parents; her beloved youngest grandson, Andrew Graham Dodson; her brothers, Freddie (and Mary) Taylor, Forrest Taylor, Harold Taylor; her sisters, Wanda (and Lloyd) Dykes, Mildred (and Herbert) Taylor, Ruby Taylor, Laura (and Eugene) Tucker; and her brother-in-law, Glen McKee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to The Andrew Dodson Go Get Em Foundation—gogetem80.com/. You may also offer condolences and sign the Online Tribute Book at www.somersetundertaking.com

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025 at High Street Baptist Church, 102 Bourne Avenue, Somerset, Kentucky. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Church Pastor Ed Amundson officiating. Interment will follow in the Lakeside Memorial Gardens Cemetery.