Joel Dean Hedrick

Joel Dean Hedrick, of Little Rock, AR, died quietly on Aug. 31, 2014 at the age of 101.   Mrs. Hedrick was born on Sept. 27, 1912 in Monticello, Arkansas to Joel William and Mary Melinda Givens Cunningham.   She grew up in southern Arkansas and graduated as valedictorian of Warren High School in 1930.  She attended Monticello A & M College for two years and received her certification to teach English.  Due to the depression, she left college and took a teaching job in New Edinburg and then at Warren High School.  In 1937 she married Kimbro Young Hedrick and they moved into the house at 500 North Myrtle in Warren where they lived for most of the 69 years of their married life.  Although Mrs. Hedrick quit teaching in the school system, she taught Sunday School in the First Presbyterian Church for years, touching the lives of many of the youth who grew up in the church.  Also, as an active member of the Women of the Church at First Presbyterian, she served in leadership positions for over 50 years.

 Her primary occupation was being a homemaker for her husband and her four children.  In addition to caring for her family, she ensured that her children had their homework done, had music lessons, and attended church.   Mrs. Hedrick served as president of the PTA and under her leadership, the organization raised money to start the first lunchroom to serve hot meals in Warren’s schools.  She loved to read and share books with family and friends, and for years she enjoyed working as the church librarian.  Her family cherishes their memories of her as a mother, teacher, cook, and friend.

Joel Dean and Kim lived in their house on North Myrtle Street until 2006 when Kim died at the age of 99.  At that time, Mrs. Hedrick moved to Little Rock to live near Jane and her family.   For the past five years the staff at Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Little Rock has provided love and care to Ms. Jo day and night. The family extends their deepest appreciation to our Briarwood family.

Her first daughter, Mary Hedrick Causey, died in 2012.  Mrs. Hedrick is survived by three of her four children: Jane Hedrick Beachboard (Jim Beachboard), Little Rock, AR, Ellen Kay Hedrick (Tom Bacon), Durham, N.C., Mary's husband, J.P. Causey, West Point, VA and the Rev. Bill Hedrick (the Rev. Catherine Robinson), Albuquerque. NM.  Mrs. Hedrick has ten grandchildren: James Beachboard, Matthew (Susannah Beachboard, John Beachboard (Amber Brewer), Michael  Bacon, (the Rev. Kathryn Lester-Bacon), Kathryn Bacon Goldman (Jeff Goldman), Beth Causey (Michelle Andrews),  Lyn Causey (Alan Meyer), George Hedrick, Joy Hedrick Maguire  (Bill Maguire),  Mark Hedrick (Christy Hedrick).  She also has eight great grandchildren, Rand Brewer, Alya and Darren Goldman, Harrison and Virginia Meyer, Lily and Ryan Maguire, and Daniel Hedrick.

A Memorial Service was held at the First Presbyterian Church, Warren, AR, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September. 5, 2014, with Rev. Catherine Robinson, Rev. Philip Faris and Rev. Kathryn Lester-Bacon officiating. Linda Barrett was pianist.  Prior to the service, a graveside service was held at 1:30 at Oakland Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Michael Bacon, James Beachboard, John Beachboard, Matthew Beachboard, George Hedrick, Mark Hedrick and Bill Maguire. Honorary pallbearers were Tom Bacon, Jim Beachboard, J.P. Causey, Jeff Goldman, Bill Hedrick, Alan Meyer, Jackie Miller and Cliff Morgan. Arrangements are by Frazer’s Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Warren, Arkansas, the Warren YMCA, or the Warren Public Library. Online guest register  HYPERLINK "http://www.frazerfuneralhome.com" www.frazerfuneralhome.com