Leila LaJune Hardin Dodson passed away peacefully at her home at rural Catron, MO in the early morning hours of Friday, April 20, 2018 while surrounded by her loving family.

Leila was born in Dexter, MO on October 11, 1961 to Hubert and Peggy Snider Hardin. Leila grew up on the family farm where she learned to cook at an early age and was well known for her cookies and desserts. 

Leila attended Parma Schools and graduated in May 1979. She was a proud Parma Pirate cheerleader, drum majorette and Cotton Ball Queen. After graduation Leila began working at Radcliffe Gin Company and continued working there for DG&G Cotton Gin until 2018.

June 10, 1991 she was blessed with her precious daughter, Stephanie Lerlen Gregory. Two more blessings came her way with her grandchildren, Paisley Jane and Jax Douglas Pannell.

Leila loved the farm life, sitting on her porch and watching sunsets and watching Cardinal baseball. She remained a true farm girl living on the family farm where she grew up riding her bicycle and her Honda motorcycle. Current River was her favorite place to go camping. She enjoyed going there as a child and carried on the tradition with Stephanie. Leila’s smile was bright, beautiful and contagious. She loved to laugh and tell detailed stories- and oh my did she ever! Animals were special to Leila. As a child, she adopted a variety of abandoned animals.

On May 22, 2004 she and Jonathan Dodson were married at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on April 18, 2011.

Leila leaves behind her loving daughter, Stephanie Gregory Pannell of Catron, MO along with grandchildren, Paisley Jane and Jax Douglas Pannell; two step daughters, Paityn and Kaity Dodson and step grandson, Jon Dodson. Other loving family members are her mother, Peggy Hardin; brothers, Dale Hardin, Yancey and Angela Hardin of Catron, MO. Leila’s nieces and nephews were very special to her. Bradley, Ben and Amanda Hardin of Catron; Sarah and Jarrett Lawfield of Kewanee; Jessica and John Hunter of Dexter; and Casey and Trey White of Catron. 

Leila attended Lavalle Missionary Baptist Church in Lavalle, MO with her family friends and neighbors of the small community. She was baptized at a young age and she enjoyed reading her Bible. 

Visitation was held at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, April 22, 2018 from 11:00 to 2:00 P.M. 

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday at 2:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Tim Woods officiating. 

Interment will follow at the Essex Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Misty’s Mission, 100 Washington Circle, Senath, MO 63876.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter in charge of all arrangements.