Sand Mountain Reporter

The Rev. Keith Dodd of Boaz received Hospice of Marshall County’s 2009 Heart of Hospice Award.

Dodd was named recipient of the award at Hospice’s annual Heart of Hospice Luncheon.

The award is given each year to an individual who shows consistent support and is an advocate of HMC, participates in many phases of HMC services, and is known for their selflessness and compassionate nature.

Dodd began serving Hospice more than 20 years ago and served on the voluntary board of directors from 1996 through 1999.

Next week, Dodd and his wife, Iris, will celebrate 58 years of marriage. Even though his wife knew about the award, she managed to keep it a secret from him.

“Very seldom can she get something on me or I her because, in 58 years, we’ve learned to communicate with more than just words” Dodd said.

“I had not really planned to be here today.

“And I told her this and she said, ‘Oh, you need to go.’ And, then this morning she said, ‘I’m going too,’ and I said, ‘I didn’t know you were invited.’

“I am overwhelmed by this and I don’t feel that I deserve it. There are more people who are deserving.”

Dodd figured out he had won the award before his name was called when Terrell mentioned the recipient had spent time serving as a military chaplain.

“There were not many military chaplains here,” Dodd told Terrell after the luncheon.

Dodd has served on the voluntary board of directors of Hospice of Marshall County from 1996-1999 and, according to Terrell, he has helped the organization out in many more ways over the past 20 years.

“This recipient is not one who desires public recognition for his service, but we felt we would be thoughtless not to honor him today,” Terrell said. “As we observe his compassion and service, we can truly say he is a friend of Hospice of Marshall County and truly exhibits a heart for Hospice.”

For more information on Hospice of Marshall County, call 891-7724 or visit its Web site at www.hospicemc.org.

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Publisher: Ben Shurett

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