Viola Estelle "Dot" Todd

Viola Estelle “Dot” Todd was born on October 25, 1924, in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, to David Oliver “Ollie” Clark and Edith Louise Clark. Her father affectionately nicknamed her “Dot,” short for “daughter.” Drumheller, then a small coal‑mining town, was shaped by the rugged realities of Depression‑era life on the western prairies. Ollie himself had left home at age twelve to ride the range as a cowboy, and in his memoir—written at age eighty‑eight—he recalled how many homesteaders were forced to abandon their farms, their dreams undone by drought, poverty, and unforgiving land. Through sheer determination, he carved out a life as a stagecoach driver, coal miner, rancher, postmaster, and general store proprietor. Dot inherited his resilience, his “can‑do” spirit, and his unwavering work ethic.

A child of the prairies, Dot cherished memories of climbing the hills each spring in search of the first wild crocus, its fuzzy buds pushing through the lingering snow. She loved exploring those hills and gathering wild pink roses in summer. Her lifelong appreciation for the beauty of nature became one of her greatest gifts to her four children.

Dot attended a one‑room schoolhouse where older students helped teach the younger ones. She enjoyed local sporting events, community dances, and winter days filled with ice skating and sledding. Her education continued at nursing school in Edmonton, Alberta.

It was there she met the love of her life, Carl Walker Todd, an American soldier stationed in the Aleutian Islands. After a brief courtship, they married in Drumheller, with her dear friends Betty Ruhlman and Dorthy “Hump” Humbke standing beside her.

Together, Dot and Carl traveled three thousand miles to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Carl’s family had lived for eight generations. Here, they built a rich and joyful life centered on family and friendship. They raised four children—Susan, David, Donnie, and Allyson—and maintained strong ties to Dot’s Canadian family through frequent visits that enriched their children’s lives and continue to shape the next generations.

Adventurous and curious, Dot and Carl traveled widely—to France, England, Norway, Denmark, and Alaska. They loved dancing, dinner parties, bridge, gardening, and welcoming friends and family into their homes in Charlotte and Powder Horn Mountain. She had a sparkle and sense of humor that endeared her to friends and family alike.

Whatever Dot did, she did exceptionally well—sewing, preparing beautiful meals, and hosting with warmth and grace. Her mind remained sharp throughout her life, and her memory for people and events was extraordinary. Even after losing her eyesight, she continued to play bridge by memorizing the cards, competing skillfully with her sighted partners.

Dot loved people deeply and made new friends even in her final years. The devoted women at the Stewart Center cared for her in her last few years, with tenderness, and her beloved Marissa (“Mars”) brought her companionship, stories, and love that immeasurably brightened her days.

Dot is survived by a large and loving family:

Daughter Susan Todd Nash, husband Barry, their children, Matthew Todd Hooker, Kristin Blythe Hooker, Whitney Elizabeth Hooker, Martha Ann Cain and husband Jeron, their children, Jordan Elizabeth, Courtney Gabrielle, Brock Tyler, and Austin Adam. Son Silas Joseph Nash, wife Younghwa Nash, and son Benjamin Jay Nash.

Son Carl David Todd and wife Cheryl, their children: Ivy Nichole Todd and husband Kevin Hill, Walker Russ Todd, Chrisanne Mrozek and husband Patrick, Mary Mac Phillips and her son, Thomas.

Son Donald Wayne Todd and wife Debbie, their sons, Austin Carl Todd, Stuart Lane Todd, wife Morgan, and great‑grandchild, Lainey Joan Todd.

Daughter Allyson Todd Smith and husband Jerry, their daughter, Morgan Noelle Bost and husband Bryant, great‑grandchild: Beatrice Noelle Bost, and daughter, Julia Clarke Smith.

A small celebration of life will be held at Sardis Presbyterian Church chapel on Sunday, July 19, at 2:00 PM.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. https://www.secondharvestmetrolina.org/