Dorothy Duke Humphreys

Mrs. Dorothy Duke Humphreys, 90, of Winston-Salem passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She was born April 17, 1919 in Greenville to Clifton Hardy and Katie Bowden Duke. Dorothy's early life was in eastern North Carolina, growing up in Greenville, Wilson and Smithfield. She was the youngest of seven. Her brothers and sisters were Celeste Cox, Clifton Hardy Duke, Jr., Lucille Sharpe, Hazel Faulkner, Virginia O'Neil, and Marvin Duke. She was presented in 1935 to the North Carolina Terpsichorian Debutante Ball. Due to the benevolence of her dearly beloved brother, Clifton Hardy Duke, Jr., she attended and graduated from Saint Mary's Junior College in Raleigh in 1938. After graduation, Dorothy was a recorder in the N.C. Legislature. Her government career later included becoming Deputy Registrar of Deeds of Johnston County. Dorothy was preceded in death by Carl Janson Humphreys, her loving husband of fifty-nine years. They were married in 1942 and spent most of their lives in Winston-Salem. She was a devoted and loving mother to her two children, Jim and Carla; and a devoted grandmother to her grandson, Patrick McDougald. She often told people ""my children are my life."" Dorothy enjoyed meeting family and friends throughout the Winston-Salem community. She was greeted lovingly by many. She loved to shop and took pride in her appearance and fashion. She enjoyed reading and travel. Of special great importance to her was to enjoy a tranquil garden at home created by her son. She is survived by her loving daughter, Carla Janson Humphreys and her son, James Hardy Humphreys, both of Winston-Salem; one grandson, Patrick McDougald (Kathleen); and great granddaughter, Margaret McDougald, all of Roswell, Georgia. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at Ardmore United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Franklin Howard officiating. Burial will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. Our precious mother loved the following poem and believed it represented her view of life: When I am gone, release me, let me go for I have so many things to see and do. You must not tie yourself to me with too many tears, but be thankful we had so many good years. I gave you my love and you can only guess how much you've given me in happiness. I thank you for the love that you have shown, but now it is time I travel alone. So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must then let your grief be comforted by trust that it is only for a while that we must part. So treasure the memories within your heart, I won't be far away for life goes on. And if you need me, call and I will come, though you can't see or touch me, I will always be near. And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear all my love around you soft and clear. And then, when you come this way alone I'll greet you with a smile and say ""Welcome Home"".

Cemetery:
Forsyth Memorial Park

Visitation:
06:00pm - 08:00pm on June 19, 2009 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel

Service:
Service at 01:00pm on June 20, 2009 at Ardmore United Methodist Church