Ellen Finney Dodd, born Dec. 12, 1946, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2021, with her daughter, Bobbie Dodd Johnson, by her side.

She was predeceased by her parents and her son, Jesse Finney Dodd. She is survived by her daughter, Bobbie Johnson, of Pleasant Grove, Alabama, granddaughter, Ashley McCaig and three great-grandsons, of Texas, sister, Gigi Finney Smith and nephew, Christopher Smith, of Smithfield, and special cousin, Martha Mayer, of Laurens, South Carolina.

Ellen’s long-time home was in Selma, Alabama, where she made many lifelong friends. As a young mother, Ellen completed a course in automotive repair and maintenance from the George Wallace Community College in Selma, which caused great consternation among the local male mechanic population. She completed her degree as an LPN and then went on to complete requirements and the state board exam for her RN degree. She worked during four decades in the ICU unit at The Vaughn Hospital in Selma, Alabama. She was a compassionate, dedicated nurse who shared the joy of her patients’ recoveries and was at the bedside providing comfort as her patients departed this life.

She enjoyed camping and fishing, cooking and baking. She made gingerbread houses at Christmas, from scratch, when her children were small. She was an accomplished seamstress and often knitted and crocheted gifts for friends and family. Her sense of humor was legendary.

Her great-grandsons, Soren, Archer and Ryder, were her world since their births. Helping to care for them in her later years brought her joy and purpose. If she had any regrets, it would be that she wasn’t able to continue to watch them grow.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at Little’s Funeral Home in Smithfield.