Dorothy Washburn Hamrick Edwards

Dorothy Washburn Hamrick Edwards, 90, formerly of Shelby, went to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ, August 10, 2006. She died at Sanford Health and Rehabilitation after several years of declining health.

She was a native of Cleveland County, North Carolina, born to the late Joe C. and Estilla McSwain Washburn on July 27, 1916. She graduated from Gardner Webb and Meredith Colleges and taught high school English in the Number 3 Township of Cleveland County in 1937-38. She was married to Gordon Shannon Hamrick on October 30 of 1937. She and her husband lived in Charlotte from 1938 until 1946 when they returned to Cleveland County. While in Charlotte, she was employed for several years by the United States Rubber Company which manufactured anti-aircraft shells during World War II. She began working at Gardner-Webb College in 1946 as secretary to the president. Her husband died in 1947. She continued to work at Gardner-Webb, being promoted to Registrar in 1948. She remained (except for about a year in which she cared for her second husband during his illness) in the position of registrar until her retirement in 1984. She was named Registrar Emeritus in 1986. For several years, she also held the position of assistant to the Dean of Admissions and Enrollment.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Philip E. Hamrick and his wife Caroline Greene Hamrick of Apex, two granddaughters, Eileen C. Hamrick of Rolesville, NC and Ruth H. Watkins, who with her husband Michael Watkins live in Clayton, NC and her great grandson, Brent M. Watkins. Her grandson, David Hamrick died in 1978.

Dorothy married her second husband, Talmadge Irvin Edwards on July 27, 1969. He died in 1979. Her step son was Talmadge H. Edwards, who died in 2005. She is survived by her step son’s wife, Nancy Hambright Edwards of Atlanta, Ga and her step son’s children, Kent Edwards of Tallahassee, Fl, Ashley and her husband Keith Zimmerman of Commerce, Ga and Laura and her husband James Carson of Buford, Ga. She is also survived by her step daughter, Sibyl Ann Edwards Puckett, her husband George Puckett of Lattimore, NC and their daughter Alice Puckett Wright, her husband Don Wright of Boiling Springs, NC. She is survived by step great grandchildren Chase and Marissa Wright, Sybil, Bryne and Olivia Zimmerman and Caroline Carson. Her step great granddaughter, Sloan Wright died in 2006.

Dorothy was one of eleven children (7 boys and 4 girls), who lived to adulthood. Her surviving brothers are: Dr. Wyan W. Washburn and his wife Emily of Boiling Springs, NC, Gaines B. Washburn and his wife Lela Belle of Lattimore, NC, J. Dan Washburn and his wife Betty of Credmore, NC, and Dr. H. Gene Washburn and his wife Billie of Boiling Springs. She has one surviving brother-in-law, Hershel Wilson of Lattimore. Her surviving sister is Raye W. Scism also of Lattimore. Coming from such a large, close and loving family, she has many nieces and nephews that were very special to her and she to them.

Dorothy was pre-deceased by three brothers and their wives: Reburn and Beatrice Washburn, Seth and Ruby Washburn, and Dietz and Elizabeth Washburn. She was pre-deceased by her sister Ruby W. Bridges and her husband Dufaye Bridges and by her sister Mary W. Wilson.

Dorothy was deeply devoted to God and lived a life of humility and service that has been an inspiration to many. She was interested in each person she met and was a mentor to many of the students who went to Gardner-Webb. She was deeply committed to Christian education and was an advocate for academic excellence.

Some other activities and honors: during high school and college she was a member of the debate team, served as president of the Baptist Student Union, was editor of the school newspaper, maid of honor for the May Queen in 1935, and a member of the Marshall Club and College Honor Society; taught Sunday School classes, served as a deacon of Boiling Springs Baptist Church, in 1992 was honored as one of Cleveland County’s Distinguished Women by the Cleveland County Commission for Women, had three Gardner-Webb yearbooks (1953, 1958 and 1978) dedicated to her, was named Gardner-Webb Alumnae of the Year in 1962 and was recipient of the Gardner-Webb College Service to the College Alumni Award for 1985.

The family will receive friends Saturday, August, 12, 2006 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m., at Boiling Springs Baptist Church and other times at the home of her brother and his wife, Dr. H. Gene and Billie Washburn, 218 Oak, Boiling Springs. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Boiling Springs Baptist Church with Dr. Carroll Page officiating. Burial will follow in Double Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dorothy W. Edwards Christian Service Organization Endowed Scholarship Fund, Gardner-Webb University, PO Box 997, Boiling Springs, NC 28017; or to the Olive Chapel Baptist Church Building Fund, 600 New Hill – Olive Chapel Road, Apex, NC 27502.