Debra Lynn Dodd Kern, age 51, of 38 Botany Drive, Eagle Rock, Virginia, died Thursday, December 24, 2009 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke.

She was born on May 2, 1958 in Clifton Forge, Virginia to Charles L. and Shirley Matheney Dodd.

She was a retired manager for Advance America Finance Company of Covington and was a member of Iron Gate United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Matheney and paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Dodd.

She is survived by her parents, Charles L. and Shirley Matheney Dodd of Eagle Rock; a daughter, Heather Nicole Kern of Clifton Forge, a sister, Wanda D. Hubble of Las Vegas, NV, a brother, Charles W. "Billy" Dodd of Low Moor, a number of cousins, and special friends, including her fiance, Phillip Fridley of Eagle Rock; and Phyl's family, Kristal and Justice Maloney and Ashli Fridley.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated.

Funeral services will be private and will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alleghany Humane Society, 304 Karnes Road, Low Moor, VA 24457, to the American Cancer Society, Alleghany Highlands Division, C/O Karen Buzzard, 807 McCormick Blvd, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, or to the Iron Gate Methodist Church, P.O. Box 190, Iron Gate, VA 24448. The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, is in charge of arrangements.