Dorothy Henry Woodall

Mrs. Dorothy Henry Woodall, age 94 formerly of Dunn entered heaven on Monday, April 23, 2018 at Royal Park in Matthews, NC.

Dorothy was born in Benson, NC on January 6, 1924 the daughter of the late Vander “ V. B.” Henry and Lela Mae Hall Henry. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald E. Woodall, her previous husband, James Walter Johnson, brothers, Theron Henry, lost in WWII, and Earl Owen Henry of Dunn.

Dorothy was a bright and talented girl who loved all arts. She taught herself to play at age 12 on a guitar given to her by her father. Her natural talent at playing and singing was quickly evident and she started playing at local events and on radio. She was told that Burl Ives, the popular folksinger, from the 1930’s to the 1970’s was passing through the area by car and heard her on the radio. He stopped his car and called into the radio station and told them that he really enjoyed her singing. On the radio stations in the area she was known as “Dotty and Her Guitar” and “A Girl And A Song”.

She moved to Charlotte in 1958 and began a career in retail sales and management with Ivey’s and Belk’s Department Stores where she was well loved by customers’ and co-workers alike.

A Graveside Service will be held Saturday at 2:00 pm at Greenwood Cemetery with the Rev. Eddie White officiating.

She is survived by, a son: James “Jimmy” Johnson & (wife) Martha Ann of Mary Esther, Fl.

A Daughter: Rebecca “Becky” Johnson Hargett & (husband) Darrell of Matthews, NC

Granddaughter: Robyn Elizabeth Cohen of Orlando, Fl. and many nieces and nephews

The family will receive friends Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Cromartie Miller Funeral Home in Dunn, NC. One hour prior to the service.

In addition to her singing Dorothy loved painting and writing poetry. She penned the following Poem. We believe she would like to as her epitaph.

A PLACE TO REST

I've walked a life of sorrow, with bitter pain and loss. I've traveled down a rugged road that seemed so hard to cross. My heart was torn to pieces, on the rough and piercing stones, I searched for just a place to rest, that would ease my pains and groans. Oh, how deep the burden that lay within my breast, would this rugged road go on forever, to find no place to rest? A kindly word in grief's dark hour from some friend who understands could help lighten my burdened heart, and lend a helping hand. Then, I thought of Christ my Saviour that bore the cross for me. Of how he suffered, bled and died upon a cruel tree. I felt ashamed as I complained, of all my pain and fears; and felt a peace deep in my heart, that I had searched for years. And now this road I travel, there's no rough and piercing stones, at last I've found a resting place, in my Lord and him alone. Dorothy Henry Johnson, 1966