Velma Pearl Johnson Hedrick

Velma Peal Johnson Hedrick, 92, of Clayton, NC., formally of Beckley, died Tuesday July 2nd, 2019, after a short illness at a Dementia Care facility in Clayton NC. Born Oct. 2, 1926 in Grant, Va., Grayson County, she was the daughter of the late William Hannibal and Pearl Jane Hash Johnson. Mrs. Hedrick was a loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold A. Hedrick. Mrs. Hedrick graduated from Concord College in 1948. She was a lifelong educator, teaching Home Economics, Foods, and Sewing to students at Clear Fork, Mark Twain, Shady Springs High and ending her career of 30 years at Woodrow Wilson High School. In 1982 Mrs. Hedrick made the journey to Germany where for the next 10 years she taught Science and Home Economics to children of American soldiers with the U.S. Department of Defense at the Schweinfurt American Jr. High School in Schweinfurt, Germany. After retiring there she made her home in Oak Island (formerly Long Beach), NC. She continued to substitute teach for the Brunswick County School system at East Brunswick High School.
A lifelong conservative, Mrs. Hedrick was the first woman ever to run as a candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates on the Republican ticket.
Survivors include three sons: H. A. “Alex” Hedrick Jr. and his wife, Portia Payne Hedrick, of Beckley, Phillip Hedrick and his wife, Karen, of Garner, NC, and Dennis Hedrick of St. Augustine, FL. One daughter: Sarah Hedrick Coffman and her husband, Rocky, of Lake Waccamaw, NC.; grandchildren, Stacy Hedrick Downey and her husband, Brandon, of Morgantown, WV., Sgt. Harold A (Chip) Hedrick, III and his wife, Jolene, of FT. Riley, Kansas, Joshua Paul Hedrick and his wife, Alexis, of Oak Island, NC., Rebecca Dawn Hedrick Bagwell and her husband, Fire Captain David Bagwell, of Raleigh, NC., Nickki Hedrick Matthews of Oak Island, NC., Ashlee Hedrick of Oak Island, NC., and Codee Hedrick of Oak Island, NC. Amanda Coffman of FL, and Matthew Coffman of Charlotte, NC. There are also 16 Great grandchildren and many caring nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Mausoleum B, at Sunset Memorial Park on Harper Road on July 06th at 12:00 Noon, with Reverend Ralph W. Workman officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in memory of Velma Hedrick to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.