Charles Arless Hedrick

Charles Arless Hedrick passed away on July 1, 2023 after a 2 l/2 week stay at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Charles was born November 4, 1929 in a little town called Poca, WV.  At the age of two, his family moved to Nitro, WV which is about 10 miles from Charleston.  After graduating from high school in 1948, he went to work for Gravely Tractor Co.  A short time after starting work he was called for duty in the US Navy.  He served a year in the Navy and a few years in the Reserves to fulfill his time in the service.  Gravely held a job for him so he returned to work there.

In early 1952 he met this little blond headed girl at a drive-in restaurant.  Her name was Mavis, and not wasting any time, he asked her out for a date.  After talking for quite a while she agreed to go out with him.  They hit it off real well and Charles knew this was the one he wanted to marry.  He asked her father first for permission and then he asked Mavis.  This was after six months of dating and then after two more months they were married on November 26, 1952.  Two daughters were born of this marriage and these little girls were the apple of his eye. 

In 1968, Charles was asked to transfer to Clemmons, NC where Gravely was moving to.  He and Mavis talked this over and agreed to this move.  In August 1968 they moved to Winston-Salem, NC.  He continued to work for Gravely for a total of 44 years and retired in 1992.  After being out for a year, he still wanted something to do so he went to Hanes Mall and got a part-time job with the Bombay Company.  He loved working there as it was so much different than his work at Gravely.  He continued working for 10 years before retiring again.

Charles enjoyed working with wood in his workshop.  He made an assortment of tables, lighthouses, bird houses and small churches.  Some of the items were sold at the Crickets Nest or at yard sales.  He gave several away to family and friends. Charles had an engineering mind and could build or fix anything (and never read instructions).

Charles was a member of Ardmore United Methodist Church and the Christian Fellowship Class.  He was an usher and greeter for several years.  Charles was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his parents (Clennie and Tressie), Charles was preceded in death by brothers James and Burton.

Charles is survived by his wife Mavis (married 70 years), daughters Linda Stokes and Lou Ann (Dale) Dial and their daughter Rebecca (Zack) Pendergrass, and their daughter Greer.

Family will receive friends 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway, W-S, NC.  A graveside service will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem.  Online condolences may be posted to www.hayworth-miller.com.