Leslie Michelle Dodson

Robert A. Waters Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | July 28, 2025

Leslie Michelle Dodson, 64, affectionately known as Susie, formerly of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, surrounded by her beloved son Jesse and family.

Leslie was born on June 23, 1961, to the late James Coleman and Willa Mae Dukes Bryant in McKeesport, PA and stepfather, Theodore “Pops” Black who reared her and treated her as his own. She attended Duquesne High School graduating class of 1979 and University of Pittsburgh where she received her Bachelor’s degree in social work. Leslie was employed at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit as a Family Advocate, Mellon Bank, Duquesne Family Support. She was also an entrepreneur, and an insurance agent for Primerica. Her last place of employment for Laid Law was as a school bus driver and Coach bus line. Leslie was a very active mother in the community. She was a boys scout mom, on the PTA, School Board, and Football; whatever activities Jesse was involve in, she was right there. His biggest cheerleader.

Leslie was a very loving and affectionate mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend. She loved her family, especially her pride and joy of her beloved son Jesse, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known for bringing the family and friends together with her annual picnic at Ryan Hacke West Mifflin Community Park, in West Mifflin, PA., and she was a committee member of the Peterson Family Reunion. She loved to bake Chocolate Chip Cookies, Texas Sheet Cake, and she made the best homemade Pancakes. Susie was a birthday cake connoisseur she knew where to purchase the best cakes, Moio’s Italian Pastry Shop! She would frequently visit there passing through on her way home.

She was a former member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C. W. Torrey, in her youth and her grandfather Rev. Willie Dukes was the associate minister at Macedonia in the 1940s-1950s. As a young adult, she later joined the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Duquesne, then relocating to Laurel, MD, where she attended Tabernacle Church. Leslie was a woman of God! She lived with conviction, she was very humble, steadfast unmovable. The Lord was her guiding light in her daily walk. She would always say “I don’t need anything I Have the Lord.” She loved the Lord and that was the foundation in her home. Everywhere she went she would meet someone and enjoyed having conversations with them and talking about the Lord. She believed that Gods children were everywhere.

Leslie was preceded in death by her mother, Willa Mae Dukes Bryant, father, James Coleman, stepfather, Theodore “Pops” Black, brother, Vernon Bryant, and son, William Dodson.

Leslie is survived by her husband Michael Dodson of Laurel, MD; son, Jesse (Angelica) Holmes of Duquesne, PA; stepdaughter, Michelle Dodson of Laurel, MD; 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth (Jeana) Bryant of McKeesport, PA; Pastor Stephen (Cheryl) Bryant of Felton, DE; two sisters, Joetta (Thomas) Ferguson of Munhall, PA.; and Theda Bryant of Braddock, PA.; uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Arrangements are in care of Robert A. Waters Funeral Home.

Friday
August 1, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Macedonia Baptist Church
17 Cochran Street
Duquesne, PA 15110

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leslie Michelle (Bryant) Dodson, please visit our floral store.

Originally published July 28, 2025.

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