Ernestine Ann Woodle Dodl, born on March 23, 1928, the daughter of the late Alice Whitlock and Willis A. Woodle, died at the Cedarfield Retirement Community in Richmond, Va., on July 17, 2021.
Ernestine married in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1951, the love of her life, the late Rudolph Conrad Dodl Jr. of Cumberland, Va., a Hampden Sydney Club and Hokie guy in Civil Engineering retiring from Wiley and Wilson Engineering firm. They enjoyed a wonderful life with many happy memories through their two sons, family, and dear friends; a beautiful Smith Mountain Lake Retreat; travel in the U.S. and Europe, especially genealogy related trips to England for Ernestine and Germany for Conrad.
She was predeceased by her husband, Rudolph Conrad Dodl Jr., and one of her two sons, Rudolph Conrad Dodl III who passed at the age of 30 after a 12-year courageous battle with Hodgkins Disease. Rudy was a graduate of VPI and a fabulous artist. Ernestine is survived by a son, William A. Dodl; granddaughter, Carmen Dodl; her sister, Elizabeth M. Burford, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Ernestine was born in Richmond, Va. in the Church Hill area. She was a graduate of E.C. Glass Highschool, a member of the National Honor Society and a graduate of Virginia Commercial College in Richmond. She held administrative assistant positions at the law firm of Perrow & Rosenberger (including State Senator Mosby Perrow), and substitute secretary and library assistant at public schools in Lynchburg. In later years she worked as the assistant to Lynchburg College’s Dean of Nursing and retired from Randolph College as administrative assistant to the Director of Development. Ernestine could type 130 words per minute!
One of Ernestine’s many interests was tailoring clothes for herself, family, and friends. She was recognized for these skills in the local Lynchburg paper. She was a member of the Inglewood Garden Club bringing home many blue ribbons, the Poplar Forest and Commonwealth Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Lynchburg Woman’s Club.
Ernestine was an active member of Centenary Methodist Church in Lynchburg, Va. for 60 plus years and was greatly influenced by the fellowship worship and music through the years. She also attended the Trinity Methodist Church of Richmond Va. In her later years.
Those who knew Ernestine will remember that she always dressed to the nines, her outfits matching the shoes and earrings, necklaces, etc. Ernestine also was known for her positive spirit, rarely complaining about anything, living in the moment, and a charming southern drawl and laugh. She easily and joyfully engaged with a room full of people whether she knew them or not.
A small graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Virginia Memorial Park, 11490 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551. Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 1501 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503. In lieu of flowers please make donations to your preferred cancer charity.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.