Dorothy Louise Miller
Dorothy Louise Miller, age 82, lived a full and beautiful life, accomplishing the best of her dreams – those of raising a family, being a writer and an artist, living in the country, owning businesses, and being a compassionate contributor to her communities.
She was born in Woodland, CA, July 31, 1937, and relocated to Gravette, Arkansas, at the age of 10, where she helped her family build a house and farm using only hand tools. Her father taught her crocheting and music, and she played piano and organ for their small rural Church of the Nazarene in Hiwasse, AR. She later taught herself to play the dulcimer as well.
Dorothy graduated from Gravette High School in Arkansas in 1955 and earned a law degree from Florida State University in 1990. She resided in Wichita, KS, Orlando, FL, and DeLand, FL, prior to settling in Monticello, FL, in 1971. Her first business venture was a boutique clothing and accessories store, The Back Door, in DeLand, FL. Dorothy later worked at Legal Services of North Florida in Tallahassee, FL; served many years as a reporter and then editor of the Monticello (Florida) News; co-founded a regional newspaper Georgia South in Boston, GA, with her husband John Hedrick and daughter Savannah; and owned and operated Bush Baby – a Junk, Art, and Antique Store in Monticello, FL – for 28 years.
Dorothy was an artist and enjoyed exhibiting her artwork and fabric crafts in many outdoor festivals including the White Springs Folk Art Festival, Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival, and numerous Volusia County, Florida, shows. Her work included oils, acrylics, watercolor, fabric art, stained glass and rag rugs. Her latest dream project involved plans to convert a Monticello warehouse into an art school, studio and gallery.
In 2011, Dorothy coauthored a book with the builder of her unique artsy home, entitled “Peckerwood – A Writers’ Colony and a State of Being.” Dorothy passed away peacefully in her beautiful house on October 14, 2019.
This creative soul and bright light was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Louis and Dorothy Marie Parrick of Gravette, AR, and daughter Nanci McKenna Henderson of Clearwater, FL.
She is survived by her husband John Hedrick of Tallahassee, FL, and her four children: Sherri McKenna (and Steve) Wellborn of Brenham, TX, Donna McKenna (and Neil) Parker of Jacksons Gap, AL, Steven (and Norma) McKenna of Tallahassee, FL, and Savannah Miller (and Matt) Rogers of Peoria, AZ. Dorothy also leaves behind a younger brother, Kenneth (and Diana) Parrick, of Gravette, AR; a niece Karla Parrick (and Clyde) Locklear of Lincolnville, SC; a nephew James (and Tiffany) Parrick of Bella Vista, AR; as well as three great-nieces, Mallory Locklear of New Haven, CT, Amber Locklear Wilder of Asheville, NC, and Madeleine Parrick of Bella Vista, AR.
She has been blessed with fourteen grandchildren: Justin Henderson (and Megan Vanover) of Seminole, FL, Nichelle Parent of Peachtree City, GA, Dylan Ortiz of Tallahassee, FL, Jacob Parker of Chicago, IL, Katherine Parker (and Luke) Vogel of Birmingham, AL, Margaret
Parker (and Coston) Rowe of Atlanta, GA, Steven McKenna Jr. of Raleigh, NC, Karina McKenna (and Jared) Olsen of Clinton, MD, Sherri McKenna (and Trevor Elifritz) of Madison, WI, and Nicolas Rogers, McKenna Rogers, William Rogers, Sergio Rogers and Renzo Rogers, all of Phoenix, AZ; plus seven great-grandchildren: Jacob and Kailee Henderson of Seminole, FL, Evelyn and Olivia Olsen of Clinton, MD, Jonah and Sanni Vogel of Birmingham, AL, and Henry Rowe of Atlanta, GA.
The family will welcome visitors at Beggs Funeral Home in Monticello, FL, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, immediately followed by a service celebrating her life in the Beggs chapel. Please come dressed casually in happy colors in honor of Dottie’s vibrant life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Legal Services of North Florida, Jefferson Arts Gallery of Monticello, Refuge House of Tallahassee, or … chocolate.
PAID OBITUARY