Anne H. Dobson, 96, of Colonial Heights passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026. Born September 28, 1929, on a tobacco farm in Dinwiddie, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late John Olin Hitchcock, Sr. and Alethia Beatrice Barnes, and was also preceded in death by her husband of nearly 65 years, George L. Dobson, Jr.; and her siblings, John O. Hitchcock, Jr. (John, Jr.), Addie Kathleen McCullough (Sis), and Durwood Thorpe Hitchcock (Chunk).

Anne graduated from Dinwiddie High School in 1947 and immediately began her working career with W. Potter Sterne, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Dinwiddie. During those early years she formed lifelong friendships with coworkers affectionately known as “The Courthouse Girls.” In July 1957, she went to work for W. Page Cheeley, Attorney, as his secretary, a position she held faithfully until December 1982.

In December 1982, Anne joined the Colonial Heights Police Department as Secretary to the Chief of Police, where she worked until her retirement in November 1998. She was deeply respected within the department and fondly known as “Mrs. D.” In recognition of her dedication and service, she was named Civilian Employee of the Year in 1991.

A woman of strong faith, Anne was a charter member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and was baptized on August 27, 1967. She remained active in her church for many years, until her husband’s passing in 2018.

Anne is survived by her children, James L. Dobson (Jim) and wife, Marye, and Janet Dobson Presnell and husband, Steve; grandchildren, Christopher S. Presnell and wife, Kylie, Ashley Presnell Fisher and husband, Jason, Austin E. Dobson, Aaron L. Dobson, and Andre Carr and fiancé, Rachel); great-grandchildren, Greyson Waverly Fisher, Grady Larkin Fisher, Brooklynn Anne Presnell, Landon Christopher Presnell, Kinsley Marye Carr, and Kamden Paul Carr; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Petersburg Home for Ladies, where Anne resided for the past three years, for their loving care and kindness, as well as to Trinity Hospice for the compassionate care provided in her final weeks.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday January 22, 2026 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 3110 Greenwood Ave, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, January 21, 2026 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Petersburg Home for Ladies Employee Fund  311 South Jefferson Street Petersburg, Virginia 23803,in honor of Mrs. Dobson, or to Trinity Hospice 804 Moorefield Park Dr #305, North Chesterfield, VA 23236. Online condolence may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.