Olie Elizabeth Daly

Olie Elizabeth Hedgepeth Daly passed away on December 10, 2021. She was born January 25, 1931 in Warrenton, NC on a cold and wintry day. She was the youngest of five children and the only daughter born to William Ransom and Estelle Kirby Hedgepeth.

“Lib” attended John Graham School for all of her 12 years, graduating in 1948. She completed one year at Greensboro College, a Methodist college at that time, then transferred to East Carolina Teacher College (ECTC, which then became East Carolina University). She was a member of the Home Economics Club, Women’s Judiciary, the May Court in 1951 and 1952, a charter member of Phi Upsilon Omicron, an honorary sorority for Home Economics majors. She graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

While in college she met the love of her life and future husband, Donnell Ivey Daly, also a student at ECTC. They married on July 6, 1952 in Warrenton at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church.

Lib and Don then moved to Clayton where their first child, Donnell Ivey Daly Jr. was born. Her first job out of college was teaching Home Economics at South Edgecombe High School. They then moved to Tarboro, where they both taught in high school. Daughters Martha Dean Daly and Elizabeth Dail Daly were born in 1956 and 1957, respectively, after Lib decided to become a fulltime housewife. A move to Woodland, NC in 1959 was followed by their final move, this time to New Bern in 1959. Their fourth child, David Ransom Daly, was born there in 1960.

Lib went on to work for years at Trent Academy School as a science teacher, then became Activities Director for the New Bern Recreation Department and leader of the New Bern Golden Age Club and Ceramic Club until her retirement.

“Sista”, as she was called by her family, was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Dr. Albert W. Hedgepeth, Horace Hill Hedgepeth, Harry Pinkney (H.P.) Hedgepeth and Richard Lewis Hedgepeth.

She is survived by her four children, Donnie and wife Debbie, Dean and husband Alan, Dail and David, her nine grandchildren, Donnell (Trey) Ivey Daly III and wife Meagan, Cherry Olivia Daly, Carrie Elizabeth Woodard, Laura Woodard Cohick and husband Brandon, Thomas Clayton Ballard Jr., Ingram Elizabeth Ballard, William Colton Ballard, Taylor Elizabeth Daly and Jillian Grady Daly, and two great grandchildren, Ivey Claire Daly and Luke Robert Daly.

Lib was loved by so many, from her students throughout eastern North Carolina and New Bern, to her friends at Trinity United Methodist Church, her coworkers and Golden Agers, Warrenton and ECU friends. Her best friends Fran Thrift, Carolyn Garris, Betty Shields and Fran Sanders could often be found Monday mornings in the Fellowship Hall with a riveting card game going on. For many years, special Christmas Eves were spent at the homes of the Garrises, Brinsons, Dudleys, Mallards and, of course, on Woodland Avenue, where the Daly house was always dressed to impress for the holiday season, winning the Best Decorated Home in New Bern several years. Scrapbooking, yard sales, collecting Raggedy Anns and milk glass, and watching Carol Burnett were just a few of her many passions, along with taking wonderful pictures of her family and friends for her many photo albums.

A visitation will be held Sunday night, December 12th, 6:00pm at Cotten Funeral Home and funeral services will be at Trinity United Methodist Church on December 13th at 1:00pm. Burial will follow at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

The family wishes to thank Melinda Wheeler and her caregivers from Assisting At Home, including India Taft and Wanda Fisher. Lucy Funderburke provided special care in the overnight hours for almost 2 years. Also, great appreciation for the services provided by Craven County Hospice and Jennifer Snow. We are eternally grateful for all the caregivers’ and nurses’ skill, expertise and passion while caring for “Miss Lib.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Lib Daly to the Trinity United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 2311 Elizabeth Avenue, New Bern, NC 28562.

Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory.