Dorothy Heard

Mrs. Dorothy Heard, 94, peacefully passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the High Point Regional Medical Center.

Dorothy was always known as "Dot". She was born in Canton, Georgia on November 29, 1929. Dot grew up in a Christian home with three brothers and two sisters. Her homemaking skills began as a child, helping her mother with her siblings. She was a young bride to Claude Heard on July 27, 1946. Their love created two children; Carole and Don.

Dot was a wife, homemaker and mother, until she was recruited to teach basic reading, writing, arithmetic a group of struggling children at the Free Home Elementary School in Free Home, Georgia. Under her tutelage, the nurtured children began to bloom learning skills. With plans of a future in teaching, Claude's employer's growing business would relocate the family to Siler City in June of 1958. They would open the Bradshaw Supply Company where Claude managed business while Dot kept bookkeeping duties. Her left Bradshaw to take a position at Southland Life before retiring. Upon retirement, Dot didn't slow her pace of work, she only would shift her focus.

Dot's journey of faith included charter membership of New Hope Baptist Church, Canton, Georgia. She always opened her home to visiting missionaries and ministers for a place to stay with plenty of tasty meals. As a charter member of Joy Baptist Church in Siler City, North Carolina, she and Claude frequently held services in their home before the church building was constructed.  

Many of her family's fondest memories of Dot revolved around her love for gardening and cooking. Her grandchildren often would "race" one another to get her delicious Monkey Bread she made for family gatherings. Her kitchen was the favorite place for everyone to gather and share in making meals and memories with friends and family.

Chatham County residents may remember her from the volunteer work at the PTA Thrift Store in Pittsboro and yards sales from her home. Her "deals" furnished many families with mended, laundered clothing and household items, as well as gardening, sewing and homemaking tips. One person dubbed her the walking Foxfire book, because of her knowledge and skills.

Dot was the epitome of a servant who loved to serve God's people. When there was a need in the community, she and Claude were always proving fresh produce and home cooked meals. They harvested produce from their garden, load baskets in the back of their truck and deliver to various friends throughout the community. One of Dot's favorite stories was when she looked out of the window to see her living room sofa on the back of a truck heading out of the driveway with a family that had lost everything from a fire. After all, they had another sofa in the den.

Dot's world changed with the passing of Claude in 2009. In her last few years, she suffered from dementia. In her final year, for safety, she had to leave her home, but she always considered herself to be blessed by those who were now serving her. She was often called "Sweet Dot" by those who provided her professional care, even as she was hospitalized in her last few days. She will be missed.

Dot was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Junior Heard; her mother, Lillie Belle Bobo; her father, Weldon Bobo; brothers, Grady Bobo, Charles Bobo and John Bobo.

She is survived by her sisters, Martha Chastain of Canton Georgia and Jane Reinhardt of Gainesville, Georgia; her daughter, Carole Barr (Wayne C.); her son, Donald Heard (Ruth); grandchildren, Chris Barr (Michelle), Keri Henley (Mark), Donna Smith, Tonya McManus (Al) and Joseph Heard; great-grandchildren, Alex Barr, Andrew Barr, Kiya Henley, Hannah Murphy (Daniel), Adam Rierson and Elaina Smith; and her great-great-grandchildren, Zoe Murphy and Avery Murphy.

A visitation will be held 1-2:00PM, Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Joy Baptist Church- 61 Bowers Store Road, Siler City, NC.

The funeral will commence at 2:00PM, Tuesday September 17, 2024 at Joy Baptist Church with the Reverend Charlie Staley officiating services.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.