Rena Mae Frye Dodson, 86, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed peacefully into the arms of God on August 21, 2026 at her home.
Her life will be honored on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. with a graveside service at Panorama Memorial Gardens, 4917 Strasburg Road, Strasburg, Virginia 22657 officiated by The Reverend Jim Bunce.
Rena Mae was born on October 29, 1939, in Sperryville, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Dorothy Marie Woodard Frye and Raymond Jackson Frye.
A member of Marlow Heights Baptist Church, Rena’s life reflected a steadfast faith in God and a deep commitment to her family, church, and community.
Rena was deeply proud of a successful and rewarding career that spanned more than four decades. Her professional journey included positions at Aileen in Flint Hill, as Office Manager at Peebles Department Store, and as Assistant Controller at First Federal Savings & Loan. She concluded her career as Office Manager for Warren County Public Schools at Leslie Fox Keyser Elementary School, where she found deep fulfillment working alongside dedicated colleagues in support of students and their families. Throughout her career, Rena was known for her strong work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to serving others.
She never met a stranger and treasured the friendships she made throughout her life. Rena had a special gift for making people feel welcome, and she never missed an opportunity to share a conversation, a story, or a laugh.
Always on the go, Rena embraced life with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a sense of adventure. She enjoyed international travel, bus tours across the United States, scenic drives, walks around town, and she rarely missed an opportunity to attend a play or musical. Whether close to home or exploring somewhere new, Rena found joy in every experience and loved sharing those moments with family and friends.
In 1957, she married the late Frank Hencil Dodson. A wonderful mother, sister and grandmother, Rena Mae found her greatest joy in her family.
Rena Mae is survived by her son, Frank Hencil Dodson, Jr. and his wife, Carol Ann; and by her three grandchildren, Rachel Ann Sullivan Dodson, Sara Beth Sullivan Dodson (Jacob), and Jacob Allen Sullivan Dodson. They celebrate her life, cherish the love and wisdom she shared, and rejoice that death did not prevail but was overcome through Christ’s victory as she entered God’s kingdom.
She is also survived by her loving older brother, Rudolph Jackson Frye; special niece, Janice Wood; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her younger brother, Maynard Emlaw Frye and his wife, Cecilia.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rachel Ann Dodson, Sara Beth Dodson, Jacob Haynes, Jacob Allen Dodson, Joseph Ralls, Heather Marie Ralls, and Roy Ugarte.
The family wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Winter and the staff of Front Royal Family Practice for their support over the years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rena Mae’s honor to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) Walk, Attention: Derrick Leasure, P. O. Box 85, Front Royal, VA 22630.