Earnest Martin Dodds

“Sonny” Earnest Martin Dodds

Born September 8, 1940, Sonny met Jesus April 15, 2025 and was taken to Heaven. Sonny was born in Star City. His family moved to Little Rock when he was 9 years old. He attended Centennial Elementary, Pulaski Heights Junior High and Central High School, his senior year he attended Hall High School 1957-58. He went to UALR one year before going into business with his Dad as a masonry contractor. They worked together as partners many years, before his Dad retired.

Sonny loved fishing and hunting, learning very young from his Dad and uncles. All his life he enjoyed it with family and very dear friends Rush Hogue and Jack Hardcastle and many others. He loved playing golf with his favorite 4-some, Jerry Goshien, Gene Peery and Bernie Henderson and basketball and watching it all on TV.

Sonny met his love, Carolyn Carpenter, when he was 15 and she was 13, at a neighborhood grocery store where the kids sat out on the porch and listened and danced to “rock-n-roll” music. Carolyn told a friend “One day I am going to marry that guy!” Carolyn and Sonny married July 31,1960. He was 19 and she was 17. They loved-loved each other dearly all the days of their marriage. Through the years Sonny was a loving nurse to Carolyn with her health issues. In the end, she was able to partially repay his goodness.

During the Viet Nam war era, Sonny served in the U.S. Army Reserve, 489th Engineer Battalion, as a Communications Section Sergeant E5, from 1965-1971. His Battalion was never activated. Being the trickster character he was, many in his unit, including his Captain, Joe Fox, then Company Commander, came to know his shenanigans well! He told many funny stories.

In 1988 the Lord brought Carolyn and Sonny a sweet 6 1⁄2 year old boy to live with them! Brian Joel. Life just became more blessed, active and fun! Brian just fit right in and became “our special son.” He loved Sonny so much and Sonny loved him. Sonny helped him get interested in golf and that became his best sport. Sonny helped coach his baseball team and Brian was happy! He was gifted academically and went to U of A in Fayetteville. We love him and our life we had for the 11 years he was with us and all the years since.

Sonny came to know the Lord at 12 years old, but in later time, his sister, Nedra, talked with him and he rededicated his life. Carolyn and Sonny attended Bible Church of LR. for 22-23 years. Loved the people, fellowship and teaching and were active in many things. Then moved to Fellowship Bible. Found a wonderful “D-Group” and love all of the members, and the Sunday preaching of the Word and wonderful music in the Chapel on Sundays.

Sonny leaves the family he dearly loved, his wife of 64 1⁄2 years, Carolyn Carpenter Dodds of Little Rock; special son Brian Joel and grandsons Dylan and Calvin; sister, Nedra Dodds Marsh, Olive Branch, MS; brother-in-law and wife, Steve and Kim Huddleston, Jonesboro; brother-in-law Paul Saine, Mountain Home; Nephews Jeff Allem, Nashville, TN; Bryant Huddleston, Studio City, CA; Nieces Julie Allem Bradley, Memphis, TN; Myra Joel Perkins, Vancouver, WA; Lara Joel, San Francisco, CA; Amy Huddleston, Paragould; Alicyn Huddleston Lawrey (Tyler), Jonesboro; Madicyn Huddleston, Springdale; and special cousins Titia Arledge and Dave and Vicki Dodds. Many more much loved cousins, great and great-great nieces and nephews, other family members and dearest friends.

His family who has gone before him – his loving parents, Myrtice (Martin) and E. Cullis Dodds; brother, Cullis Dodds, Jr.; maternal grandparents, Marley (White) and Clifton Martin; paternal grandparents, Jewel (McFalls) and Clifton Dodds; great nephew Jordon Allem; sister-in-law Mary Huddleston Saine; mother and father-in-law Virginia (McCrary) and George Huddleston; and more dearly loved relatives.

The Family wishes to thank Arkansas Hospice for their wonderful support and care and the Nursing staff at Briarwood Rehab for their care, and all the loving care and concern from our friends and family. Please consider a donation to Little Rock Compassion Center, 3618 W. Roosevelt Rd., Little Rock, AR 72204 or Little Rock Animal Village, 4500 Kramer St., Little Rock, AR 72204. 

A Memorial Service and Visitation will be held in a few weeks at Fellowship Bible Church, 1401 Kirk Rd., Little Rock, and burial will be at Leek-Drake Cemetery in Star City.

Services entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, AR.