Dorothy Huneycutt Harrington

Dorothy Lee “Dot” Huneycutt Harrington was born November 9, 1921 to parents Adam and Bertha Huneycutt. She grew up on a farm, the youngest child and only daughter of the couple, with three older brothers, Thurmond, Roy and Vernon. After she graduated from Oakboro High School and with the financial and emotional support of her parents, Dorothy attended beauty school, where she learned the skills she would need to satisfy her young, entrepreneurial spirit. Within a few years of becoming a beautician, Dot opened her own beauty salon in Albemarle and later opened another in Charlotte.

Dot met and fell in love with her husband, Bill Harrington, just after high school. The two were married in 1942 and soon thereafter, Bill enlisted in the US Army to help with the war effort. In the early years of their marriage, they lived in Florida, where Bill was stationed during WWII. Dot moved back to North Carolina while her young husband completed his service stateside in several states. The pair was thrilled when their first child, a daughter, was born in 1943. Because Bill could not be there for the birth of their daughter, Dot surprised her husband with a very special name for their little girl, Gale – a name that means “her father’s joy”. After his discharge from the service, Bill returned to North Carolina and the family welcomed their second child, a son, Ronald, whom they affectionately called “Buddy”. Dot and Bill doted on their two children, providing them a safe, loving home and nurturing family life. They enjoyed sharing and participating in activities with their children and, despite long work hours, both parents always made sure to share quality time with Gale and Buddy.

Later in her working career, Dot fulfilled another lifetime goal. She attended Business school and studied business administration. After completion of this program, Dot worked for several firms in the Charlotte area before her retirement in the early 2000’s.

There are thousands of wonderful things that can be said of Dot. First and foremost, Dot had a kind and considerate spirit. She had a quiet dignity about her and was always working on the side of what she knew to be fair and right. With her beautiful smile and contagious laugh, she could light up a room. She was creative and artistic and found great joy in making crafts and crocheting intricate gifts for others. In her free time, she also enjoyed cooking, square dancing & ballroom dancing as well as fishing and camping at the beach with her husband, Bill.

We give our thanks for the many gifts life has to offer, awareness of the beauty around us and appreciation for the small acts of kindness – all gifts that remind us of how she lived her life and how she taught us to live.

Dot leaves behind a family brightened by her life and saddened by her passing. Her survivors include: Daughter, Gale and her husband Chris; Son, Buddy and his wife Sandie; Grandchildren Kevin Christy, Andrea Christy-Glover and Shannon Harrington; Great grandchildren Adelaide Christy, Julian Christy, Liam Glover and Samuel Glover. She was predeceased by her parents, three brothers and her adoring husband of over 50 years, Bill.

The family wishes to thank the many people who assisted in making Dot’s late life joyful, including the owners, staff and nurses of Lawyers Glen Retirement Living Center in Mint Hill, NC. We offer a very special thank you to her close friend, Bob Kile, who became her guardian angel at Lawyer’s Glen - always keeping a close eye on her, sharing a ready smile with her and providing lasting friendship, even into the late stages of her illness.

Along with the staff and nurses of Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, special thanks go to Carrington Place, their staff and nurses. We appreciate the special care and expertise given to make Dot comfortable in her last days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dot’s memory to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region and/or The Parkinson’s Association.

A service to celebrate the life of Dorothy Harrington will be held at the McEwen Funeral Home in Mint Hill, NC on Tuesday, December 28. Visitation will be from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. and services will follow at McEwen Chapel. Interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Lawyers Road following the funeral.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, Charlotte, NC.