Lesser Dodd

Lesser Dodd, the son of Joseph Wesley Dodd, Sr. and Martha Elizabeth Dood, was born n February 17, 1928 in Brenham, Texas. He went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 16, 2002 after a brief illness.He attended Picard High School and entered the United States Army. He served with distinction and won decorations, the Combat Infantrymen Badge with Wreath, Combat Campaign Ribbon with Four Battle Stars, and the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Combat were among many. He was offered a Battle Field Commission and he saw action in four major campaigns in South Korea.He married the former Edna Scott and out of this union, he became the father of nine children: Angela Marie, Lesser Christopher, Jr., Wenda Cheryl, Martha Elizabeth II, Dreama Donn, Dwight David, Darryl Emmanuel, Joseph Louis, and Phillip L.On February 28, 1971, He married the love of his life Ida C. Gilmore who gave him two more sons, who were much more than stepsons, H. Leon Gilmore and William H. Gilmore, Sr.He was a member of the most worshipful Hiriam Grand Lodge A. F. and A. M. He served in national, state, and local offices as a 33rd and Last Degree of Ancient Accepted Scottish Mason. Over 31 years, he served on the faculty at the RETS Technical Center under the leadership of President H.V. Leslie. He received many honors, awards, and citations for his outstanding service from professional associations, congressional offices, state and city offices. He was especially honored to gain membership of several organizations: the coveted RETS “Wall of fame”, the Chesapeake Chapter of the International Society of Certified Electronic Technicians, I.S.C.E.T, the New Hope Seminary Alumni Association, and the Chesapeake Electronic Association. He was a graduate of the New Hope College and Seminary in Theology and Biblical Studies with the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.He accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the early age of thirteen. On July 25, 1962; he was ordained as a Deacon by the Rev. Dr. Leonard E. Hicks, pastor of the Greater New Hope Baptist Church; where later became acting chairman, the Sunday School Superintendent, and a member of the by-laws and constitution committee. On April 12, 1964, he accepted the position as a Deacon at Mount Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. A.D. Nance and served with two chairmen, Deacon Lawrence Johnson and Deacon Robert Bailey until 1980. Upon the recommendation of Dr. Nance, he was elected to the following positions: Search Committee, and young men’s Sunday school teacher. From 1980 to 1999, he diligently served as the Chairman of the Deacon of Mount Hope Baptist Church. He served I most of the positions under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Christopher A. Hill and Rev. Dr. Donald Bates. He conducted and lectured various seminars for deacons and church officers throughout the Baltimore area in prominent churches. Because of his dedication to accomplishing God’s work through serving others, he received many exceptional recognition from the Mayor of Baltimore, the State legislature, President of the City Council, the United States Congress, and Mt. Hope Baptist Church.He wholeheartedly loved the Lord and the work of his kingdom. He made every effort to hold the office of Deacon on the spirit that would please the Lord Jesus. He believed that no amount of money was too large to spend if it could only save one soul and a Pastor could perform his commitment both to God and man if he had a full stomach and a roof over this head. He loved the church of his Lord with all of his being, for he felt he owed so much to both the Lord Jesus and the loving and full of grace parishioners of the Mt. Hope Baptist Church.He leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife Little Ida Dodd, Five sons Lesser Jr., David, Darryl, Joseph, and Phillip: four daughters; Angela, Wenda, Dreama, and Martha who both preceded him in death: two step-sons; William H. Gilmore, Sr., H. Leon Gilmore (Uncle Bozo): two sisters-in-law; Betty Dodd and Robbie V. Dodd; four daughters-in-law Shirlene Rebecca Dodd, Terrie Dodd, Tamla Dodd and Minister Jacqueline Dodd: four special daughters whom he loved; Maxine Adams, Sherdina Davenport, Valjean Gilmore and Linda Jones; one special brother: Trustee Charles “Wonderful” Graham, Sr. and a special friend, Rev. Dr. Christopher A. Hill, Jr., and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.Let all things be done decently and in order. I Corinthians 14:40

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Lesser Dodd

February 17, 1928 - June 16, 2002