Dorcas Lundy Wooten

After graduation from Harmony High School, she was employed by Turner Mfg. Company in Statesville where she rose to become an officer in the company. In 1945, she married Bill E. Wooten and, in the early 50's, she and her young family moved to Newton where she and her husband started the Wooten Equipment Company. The company first supplied John Deere agricultural equipment to area farmers and then switched to heavy construction equipment, becoming one of the largest dealers in the central part of North Carolina.

Early on, the Wootens joined Newton's First Presbyterian Church and Peoples Bank--relationships they maintained their whole lives.

Dorcas was a talented and tireless volunteer for the church and held several offices and committee assignments including church elder, worship committee, church decoration committee and chairman of Creative Hands for 40 years. She founded several of FPC's traditions including the Flowering of the Cross at Easter, the Chrismon tree and Chrismons creation in honor and memory of church family members. She was long identified with the Church's mission of prayer shawls for the ill, baptismal samplers for the newborn and the creation and display of the Three Magi at Christmas for more than 50 years. In 2001, she was awarded Honorary Life Membership by the Presbyterian Women. She was a leader in producing the quilt that hangs in the church's narthex to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the historic chapel.

Dorcas was an accomplished needlepoint stitcher, an active bridge player, and enjoyed gardening. Her needlecraft was presented to and displayed by the Hickory City Council, the Catawba County Historical Society, and in the NC Governor's Mansion. In her young girls' lives, she was Girl Scout Troop #33 Leader for six years.

She is survived by her daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Terry A. Henderson of Raleigh, her sister Betty Eidson (Allen) of Mansfield, Texas, and her brother Allen Lundy (Merle) of Spartanburg, SC, as well as a number of nieces. She was predeceased by Bill, her husband of 56 years, a daughter, Pamela, and a still-born son, Stephen.

A memorial service will be planned and announced for a future date. Memorials may be made to the Chapel Fund for First Presbyterian Church, Newton, NC or to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.willisreynoldsfh.com for the Wooten family.