Elsie McGovern

Elsie Mae McGovern went to her heavenly home to be with the Lord at the age of 89 on August 10, 2023, from Skyview Springs Nursing and Rehab Center surrounded by her family.

Mrs. McGovern was born Elsie Mae Jenkins on March 22, 1934, to parents Nellie and Stanfield Jenkins. She lived her entire life in the Shenandoah Valley.

She met the love of her life, Archie Jack Dodson Sr., and they married in 1954. Her husband, Archie, passed away on November 20, 1962, and she was blessed to marry her second husband, Thomas O. McGovern Jr., on August 5, 1979. Her husband, Tom, passed away on January 27, 2001.

Elsie was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Elsie especially enjoyed playing bingo with her best friends and nieces, Mary Wines and Mildred Chadwell. Elsie had a strong work ethic and was a retired manager for several successful gift shops and fruit stands.

Mrs. McGovern was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; a stepdaughter, Margy Dodson Anzmann; five brothers, Jesse, Frank, Raymond, Billy and Early Jenkins; two sisters, Pearl Fincham and Dolly Smith; and two granddaughters, Pamela Dodson Shifflett and Tammy Williams Seal.

Mrs. McGovern is survived by four children, Terry Dodson and wife Teresa, Richard Dodson, Archie J. Dodson Jr., and Lisa Markowitz and husband Grayson, all of Luray; two stepchildren, Jane Williams and husband Jimmy of Chester Gap, and Roland T. "Buddy" McGovern and wife Linda of Front Royal; 15 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Mrs. McGovern's devoted caregiver, Marie Brill.

A funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, at the Rileyville Baptist Church by Pastor Dan Ellis, with a meal immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.