JACKSONVILLE  -  Linda E. Dodd, 84, of Jacksonville, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024, with her family by her side. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel.   Burial will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

Mrs. Dodd was born September 29, 1940 in Martinsburg, WV to the late Raymond and Ivy Ring.

She married the late David E. Dodd on January 2, 1958, her high school sweetheart. David joined the US Navy, and they navigated the military life together for the next twenty years; finally making Jacksonville NC their home.

Survivors include her son, James E. Dodd (Mary) of Jacksonville; her daughters, Cathy Jackson (Tim) of Swansboro; Cheryl Dodd of Jacksonville, and Michelle Martin (Tim) of Maple Hill; three grandchildren, Wesley, David, and Cindy; two great grandchildren, Josh and Jenna; sister Frances of WVA; and brother, Nelson Ring of South Carolina. Linda was predeceased by her loving husband in 1998.

Linda was a very loving and giving person to all who knew her. She was affectionally known as "Daisy" to her close family and friends. She loved children, managing a children's daycare center on Camp Lejeune and then becoming a teacher's assistant at Summersill Elementary School until her retirement. After that, she continued to work as a volunteer at Onslow Memorial Hospital for many years, earning her a Volunteer of the Year Award in 2011.

Linda grew up on a farm in West Virginia. Gardening was her passion. She loved to grow vegetables as well as beautiful roses. She also had a talent for all kinds of crafts. Linda loved her dogs – leaving behind her beloved Dachshund "Molly Girl".

The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, prior to the service, beginning at  12:00 PM.

Memorials may be made to Carolina Animal Protection Society or Backpack Friends , which supports children in need of food.

The family would like to thank our "Daisy Angels" for the loving care she received – Kayla, Joanna, Joyce, Sarah, Debbie, and Eleanor – always in our hearts.