THE First Assembly of God Church at L&P Durban Street, Wortmanville is currently mourning the loss of longstanding member Deaconess Carlotta Dodson, administrator of its educational institution ‘Generation Next’.A former Assistant Commissioner of Police and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer D.S.M (W142), the 66-year-old Deaconess Dodson had also served in the Executive Leadership of the Assemblies of God in Guyana.

Following a brief period of hospitalisation, she died at a medical institution in Georgetown on Monday, just a few weeks short of celebrating another milestone, later this month.

Deaconess Dodson was, for a number of years, attached to the Confidential Registry of the Commissioner of Police. Having served the GPF with distinction, she was promoted to the level of Assistant Police Commissioner, and executed the duties of Deputy Chief Immigration Officer for a number of years; retiring on February 1, 2002 after giving more than 30 years of yeoman service to the Guyana Police Force.

After retirement, Ms. Dodson, who had been an active member of the First Assembly of God Church for well over twenty years, took up appointment as Administrator of ‘Generation Next’, a position she held to the time of her death.

‘Generation Next’ is owned and operated by the First Assembly of God Church. It is a premier Christian academic institution that ventured out as a technical and vocational school for young people; but, over the last five years, has more than fulfilled its mandate and has moved on to encompass other areas of academic studies, including science and languages.

Ms Dodson had been a deaconess for the last three years. She took up appointment as Administrator of Generation Next from the time of its inception, and just recently officiated for a final time, though least expected – at the fifth and final graduation ceremony during her tenure.
In an interview with Deaconess Merissa Massiah, who deputised as Administrator of the institution in Ms Dodson’s absence, Ms Dodson was described as a ‘valued warrior’. “She was a wonderful person — polite, loving and caring — who went the extra mile to ensure that not only the academic needs of her students were met, but demonstrated an abiding interest in the welfare of the students as well.

“She managed the teaching faculty of Generation Next, but had a keen interest in the welfare of the students, and was there for them every step of the way,” Deaconess Merissa Massiah said. Ms Massiah said Generation Next was literally Deaconess Dodson’s baby.

Of Deaconess Dodson’s personality, Ms Massiah asserted: “I’d say she was driven. She was visionary, diligent, and somebody who gets things done. With a background of being in the Police Force for so many years, she brought that same type of structured militancy and order to this appointment.

“She was a hard working person, and helped a lot with the structure of Generation Next: building a data base, putting structure to ideas,” Massiah said.

News of Deaconess Dodson’s demise has left the entire membership of First Assembly of God in deep shock and great sadness. It is inconceivable that the Assembly could lose one of such an indomitable spirit.

“We have lost a very special person,” Massiah said. “One who, after retirement, could have done so many other things with her life, but who chose to dedicate her time and energies to seeing that the next generation has a future; that the future is secure, and that they are equipped with critical life skills. Generation Next has lost a valued warrior,” she concluded.

Expressing deep sadness at her passing, Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Balram Persaud said of Ms. Dodson, “She was always a cheerful person, even though a strict disciplinarian. Generally a quiet individual, she was a ‘people person’, and you could have communicated with her easily.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Dodson’s only surviving son, Travis, amidst deep devastation, said he has many pleasant memories of his mother, but one of the things that have stuck with him and will somehow help to bring him strength and courage is the manner in which she demonstrated absolute faith in God to the time of her death.

He reminisced on her final moments. “I can recall she was very prayerful, even in discomfort… I saw her just praying and praising God, even though she was in severe pain. It is something I can never forget, her fervent faith in God.”

Deaconess Carlotta Dodson leaves to mourn her only son Travis, a student of the University of Guyana; three sisters, three brothers, and other relatives and friends.
Arrangements are being made for her interment on Tuesday.