Jennifer A. Derrick

Born February 19, 1937, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Pearl Thompson Spicer (later Hepler), and the late Burr Spicer, Jennifer always referred to herself as the daughter of Pearl and “her Daddy,” the late Roy Tate Hepler, who raised her from childhood.

Jennifer graduated from Franklin High School in Mount Airy and began a career as a waitress that would see her move as far away as Chicago and eventually lead her to settle in Charlotte, NC, for most of her adult life. She moved to Hickory to be nearer to family after her retirement from Quincy’s Steakhouse on Little Rock Road. Jennifer enjoyed country music, especially her favorites Kenny Rogers, George Strait, and Toby Keith. She was an Atlanta Braves fan, and her adoration of Elvis Presley was only exceeded by her life-long love of all animals.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Hoyt Ray Derrick, in January 1996, and her stepson, Milford Derrick. She remained close to her daughter-in-law, Ethel Derrick, and adored grandchildren, Jody Derrick and Julie Derrick Finch, that she gained when she married Hoyt, and later her great-grandchildren as well.

In addition to her mother, Pearl Hepler, she is survived by her two brothers and their spouses, Sid and Yvonne Hepler currently of Changsha, China, and Robert Tate Hepler and Terry Bush of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is also survived by three nieces, Cami Hepler and Lea Hepler of Hickory, and Erena Hepler of Sandy Springs, Georgia; and her former sister-in-law, but forever-sister, Dawn Hewitt of Newton.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Forest Lawn West Funeral and Cremation Service in Charlotte.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn West Funeral and Cremation Service in Charlotte, or at other times at the home of Pearl Hepler in Hickory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690, or Humane Society of Catawba County, P.O. Box 63, Hickory, NC, 28603.