Deana Lynn Bush Claiborne Dodds, age 70, resident of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at ALIVE Hospice of Nashville, Tennessee. Deana was born on November 7, 1955 in Waverly, Tennessee, to the late Euell Dean Bush and the late Mary Jean (Merideth) Bush.

Deana was a loving wife of thirty-four years to her husband, Ed Dodds. She affectionately cared for her parents as they struggled through the challenges of aging. She had a close relationship with her two younger brothers and their wives. She adored her two nieces and three nephews and her five great nieces and one great nephew. She thoroughly enjoyed extended family gatherings, and researching the family history and genealogy. As a child she rescued a menagerie of orphaned and injured animals and her love for animals led her later in life to adopt many precious pets as part of her family.

She graduated from Waverly Central High School, in Waverly, Tennessee in 1973. She later received a B.A. in Communications, English, and Education from Freed-Hardeman University, in Henderson, Tennessee and a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology / Education from Auburn University, in Montgomery , Alabama.

Deana’s professional service to her community spanned over 40 years. She was a Development Officer for Faulkner University, of Montgomery, AL (four years). She served as the Executive Director for five different organizations: Exchange Club/Carl Perkins Child Abuse Prevention Center, Jackson, TN (two years); Exchange Club Family Centers, Nashville, TN (six years); Exchange Club Center for Prevention of Child Abuse, Memphis, TN (one year); Nashville Humane Assoc., Nashville, TN (one year); and United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee, Nashville, TN (thirty-three years). She loved her employees at UCPMT. On August 10, 2026, Deana was presented with the Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament’s Director’s Appreciation Award for her many years of dedicated service to The United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee.

Also, Deana’s drive to serve her community was evident in her service and leadership in a variety of organizations. She was a founding board member of Parents Anonymous of Tennessee, currently known as Child Abuse Prevention of Tennessee (seven years). She served as Chair with the Victims of Crime Advisory Committee to the Tennessee Department of Human Services (three years). She chaired the Standards Committee for Licensure Tennessee Child Abuse Protection Agencies (nine years). She served on Vanderbilt University’s Institutional Review Board (eight years). Deana served on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Childcare Resource Centers (three years). She also served on the Board of Directors for CABLE (professional organization for women for eighteen years). She served as an officer on the Steering Committee for the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Disabilities, and the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Special Education (two terms). She served as President, Treasurer, and Newsletter Editor for the River Plantation Section II Homeowners Association (four terms). Deana was on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Statewide Independent Living Centers (four years). She was the 2005 Nashville Athena Awards Event Chair and continuing committee member from 1998 – 2008. She was a member of the League of Women Voters from 1997 – 2018 and served as a past President of both the Nashville and Tennessee Chapters. She was also a founding member of the Tennessee Alliance on Disability Policy in 2002 and remained a member until 2018.

Deana found great joy in using her many creative talents, to enrich the lives of those she loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome memorial contributions in Deana Dodds’ name to United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee, 1200 9th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208. 

Visitation will be held at the West Harpeth Funeral Home and Crematory (6962 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209) on Thursday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Celebration of Life service beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Marable Cemetery in Waverly, Tennessee, at 2 p.m..