HUNDREDS yesterday braved heavy rainfall and severe flooding in the city to pay their last respects to the late Deaconess Carlotta Dodson, even as they joined in celebration of her life during a Thanksgiving Service conducted at First Assembly of God Church at L&P Durban Street, Wormanville, where she had spent the latter and very significant years of her life in service to God and humanity.

Ms. Carlotta Joycelyn Dodson, DSM, retired Assistant Police Commissioner and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, had been an ardent member of that church for the last 20 years, during which she served as Sunday school teacher; held the position of Secretary of the First Assembly of God Women’s Ministries, and had been an executive of the leadership of the church.

After going into retirement, she took up appointment as Administrator of ‘Generation Next’, a job for which she had a passion and held from inception of the institution to the time of her death, doing it as unto God.

A deaconess for the last three years and a Sunday school teacher for several years prior, Ms. Dodson died on January 14 at a medical institution in the city, after a life of dedicated service to God and humanity. Had she lived, she would have been celebrating her 67th birth anniversary on January 22.
Prior to joining the First Assembly of God Church, Carlotta was an active member of the Church of the Transfiguration on Mandela Avenue, where she developed a reputation for being a steadfast and faithful member and a wonderful Christian individual.

Among those joining the bereaved relatives and the First Assembly of God family in celebrating her life and paying their last respects were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ms. Angela Johnson; Retired Police Commissioner and serving APNU Parliamentarian, Winston Felix; Assistant Police Commissioner Carol Lewis-Primo, and other representatives of the Guyana Police Force; friend and confidante Cheryl Andries, and many others.

Pleasant, inspiring and impacting memories of Ms. Dodson were relived amidst a deluge of emotional tributes. Among the many tributes offered were those from Generation Next; First Assembly of God Church Board, Wortmanville; First Assembly Women’s Ministries Department; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ms. Angela Johnson; Mr. Winston Felix, on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier (Retd) David Granger; and the Guyana Police Force, with renditions by its choir.

The pastor who officiated at the proceedings was Reverend M. R. Massiah of the First Assembly of God Church.

The eulogy was read by Reverend Morris Mc Kinnon, who alluded to Ms. Dodson’s outstanding career in the Guyana Police Force during her 30 years of service to that institution. He said she had served with distinction, rising to the level of Asst. Commissioner and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer. She had been of impeccable character both within and outside of the GPF, having been highly respected by all with whom she had come into contact. Her discipline, professionalism and efficiency were lauded as high points within her career.

While in the Force, Carlotta Dodson was recipient of the following medals: Disciplined Services Medal (DSM); Independence Medal; Long Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal and Efficiency Medal. She had served in the following departments and in the stated capacities:
* General Administration Office
* Commissioner’s Confidential Registry, functioning first as typist and later being elevated to Confidential Secretary.
* Staff Officer Administration
* “A” Division Second in Command
* “C” Division Commander
* Felix Austin Police College
* Immigration Office as Deputy Chief Immigration Officer

She had served under five Commissioners: Carl Austin; Henry Fraser; Lloyd Barker; Balram Raghubir and Laurie Lewis.

But even though she had almost always been preoccupied with work, Carlotta had made the time to uplift herself academically, having pursued studies at the University of Guyana, from where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration.

A woman of impeccable character, Ms. Dodson was remembered for many things: As one who set standards for women in the GPF to follow; for her honesty, sincerity, and exemplary conduct; for the wonderful mother she had been to her two sons — Troy,(deceased) and Travis, whom she had successfully seen through University and who graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering to make her proud; for the live wire she had been, and for being the light at the end of the tunnel for her siblings and other family members.

She was referred to as an inspiration to those with whom she had come into contact; and indeed, whose lives she had touched in diverse ways.

To the Church and staff and students of Generation Next, Ms. Dodson will be remembered for her tremendous impact upon the institution; the strict disciplinarian she had been, and for the contribution she had made to Generation Next, working beyond the normal call of duty and dedicating her all, to both the academic and welfare needs of the students.

Visionary and intuitive, Carlotta was said to have crafted a unique and successful technical and vocational programme for Generation Next, even without a blueprint. Commending her initiative, drive and passion for work, Rev. Massiah noted her benevolence and knack for enhancement, and declared that she always had a business plan. He remembered her as private and confidential, one who set and met goals; a caring and helpful person, and one who had a desire and worked steadfastly towards helping youths realise their potential, while at the same time caring about the spiritual development of the women of First Assembly of God.

He said that for her dedicated work, zeal, sacrifice and commitment, she will always be remembered and will be greatly missed; and it was the hope expressed by those paying tribute to her that those left behind will take a page out of her book.

And kudos were given to her wonderful (late) parents — Ethney Arabello and George Jabelles Dodson of Agricola, East Bank of Demerara, for giving birth to and moulding such a wonderful individual – a woman of substance.

Carlotta Dodson is survived by her only son Travis; brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

(By Shirley Thomas)