Peace has finally come to Carolyn Dawson Hedgepeth, 83, who passed away at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville at 9:15 pm on Monday, March 22, 2021. Prior to her admission on March 9, Gloria Pegues gave kind, trained, compassionate care to her during a long struggle with a degenerative disease. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1937, Carolyn Anne was welcomed into the world as the first child of Harold ‘Pete’ and Mary Carolyn (Fields) Dawson in New Madrid. Seven
siblings were to follow.
An alumna of New Madrid High School, Carolyn received her degree in nursing from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis in the class of 1959. Bonds of friendship with fellow students lasted a lifetime. Her nursing career included working at St. Joseph Hospital, later for Dr. Breen Bland.
On June 6, 1959 Carolyn was united in marriage to Sam L. Hedgepeth at Immaculate Conception Church in New Madrid. They adopted three children: Teresa Maria,(the late) George David, and Paul Kil. For many years they provided a loving home to their ‘special son,’ Cap Richards, a non-relative, whose parents founded Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid in 1894.
The “Good Man,” as he proudly called himself, passed away at 85 years. Life had come full circle - while Dr. George William Dawson delivered Cap into the world, his granddaughter, Carolyn Anne, cared for him until the end of his colorful
life in 1988.In the mid- 60’s, they returned to southeast Missouri where Sam opened his dental practice
in Charleston and New Madrid, where they lived many years. She was an active member
of the Legion of Mary in St. Henry’s parish.
A kind and compassionate caregiver, Carolyn was always ‘on-call’ to help those in need, generous with her time and talents. She enjoyed sharing her home with family and friends.Interested in family history, she spent hours researching records, preserving for future generations. Aldo De la Torre, a friend of their son, lived with them several years, remains in contact.
Survivors include her daughter, Teresa (Eddie) Caesar, Collierville, TN, son, Paul (Kym)Hedgepeth, Dallas, TX; former husband; known as MoMo and Nana to grandchildren: Sarah Ellis, Blytheville, AR; twins Sam and Will Caesar; Bailey and Ashlyn, Dallas; Aldo (Rebeca) De la Torre and children: Zara, Sebastian, and Nicole, Colorado Springs, CO; brothers: Art Dawson, Memphis, TN; Peter (Terri) Dawson, Hamilton, OH; sisters: Ag McCown and Helen (George) Voehringer, Memphis, TN; Dixie (Hunter) Rolwing, Charleston, MO; Mary Wilson, Roseville, CA; Jane (Mike) Barnes, New Madrid; former brother-in-law, Bob Hedgepeth (Lillian), Doniphan, 22 nieces, nephews.Besides her parents she was predeceased by her son David, 2015, step-father, Merrill Burrows, brothers-in-law, Stuart McCown and Michael Wilson, Cap Richards.
A private family memorial service will be held at Incarnation Catholic Church in Collierville at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Graveside services will be held later for the internment of her cremains in her parents lot in Evergreen Cemetery in New Madrid.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Hedgepeth family.
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