Mary Elizabeth Dodd Vess, age 82, of 300 Hunters Ridge Road, Clifton Forge, Virginia died Monday, October 17, 2016 at her residence.

She was born October 25, 1933 in Clifton Forge to the late Mary Elizabeth Newcomb Dodd.

She was a 1952 graduate of Clifton Forge High School and was retired from the clerical department at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.

She was a member of Central Advent Christian Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and loved sewing, shopping, and traveling.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Claude William Mitchell Vess, and two infant sons.

She is survived by five sons, Mitchell Lee "Mitch" Vess and wife, Ann of Clifton Forge, Mark Leslie Vess and wife, Joan of Salem, Dr. Steven Ellery Vess and wife, Cheryl of Lewisburg, WV, William Kent Vess and wife, Brenda of Clifton Forge, and Christopher Shawn Vess and wife, Kelly of Clifton Forge; a daughter, Valerie Jane Vess Combs and husband, Darrell of Lynchburg; twelve grandchildren, Matthew, Patrick, Shannon, Issac, Garrett, Sarah, Brian, Eric, Darrell, Christian, Adam, and Heather; four great grandchildren, Kenlee, Khloe, Allison, and Cameron; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Central Advent Christian Church, Clifton Forge with Reverend Gene Ayers officiating. Interment will follow in Central Advent Christian Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be Patrick Vess, Issac Vess, Garrett Vess, Brian Vess, Eric Vess, Darrell Vess, and Adam Vess. Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Vess and Christian Vess.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge and other times at the residence. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Central Advent Christian Church, 3515 Longdale Furnace Road, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.