Dorothy Louise Miller 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, Calif., July 31, 1937 and relocated to Gravette, Ark., 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, Ark. 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, Kan., Orlando, Fla., and DeLand, Fla., prior to settling in Monticello, Fla., in 1971.
Her first business venture was a boutique clothing and accessories store, The Back Door, which she owned in DeLand. Dorothy later worked at Legal Services of North Florida in Tallahassee, Fla.; served many years as a reporter and later as an editor of the Monticello News; co-founded a regional newspaper, Georgia South, in Boston, Ga., with her husband John Hedrick and daughter Savannah; and also owned and operated Bush Baby – a junk, art, and antique store in Monticello – 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, Fla. 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 co-authored a book with the builder of her unique artsy home, entitled Peckerwood – A Writers’ Colony and a State of Being.
On Monday, Oct. 14, Dorothy passed away peacefully in her beautiful house, at the age of 82. 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, Ark., and her daughter Nanci McKenna Henderson, of Clearwater, Fla.
She is survived by her husband, John Hedrick of Tallahassee, and her four children: Sherri McKenna (and Steve) Wellborn of Brenham, Texas, Donna McKenna (and Neil) Parker of Jacksons Gap, Ala., Steven (and Norma) McKenna, of Tallahassee, and Savannah Miller (and Matt) Rogers, of Peoria, Ariz.
Dorothy also leaves behind a younger brother, Kenneth (and Diana) Parrick, of Gravette, Ark.; a niece, Karla Parrick (and Clyde) Locklear of Lincolnville, S.C.; a nephew, James (and Tiffany) Parrick, of Bella Vista, Ark.; as well as three great-nieces: Mallory Locklear of New Haven, Conn., Amber Locklear Wilder of Asheville, N.C., and Madeleine Parrick of Bella Vista, Ark.
Dorothy had been blessed with 14 grandchildren: Justin Henderson (and Megan Vanover) of Seminole, Fla., Nichelle Parent of Peachtree City, Ga., Dylan Ortiz of Tallahassee, Jacob Parker of Chicago, Ill., Katherine Parker (and Luke) Vogel of Birmingham, Ala., Margaret Parker (and Coston) Rowe of Atlanta, Ga., Steven McKenna Jr. of Raleigh, N.C., Karina McKenna (and Jared) Olsen of Clinton, Md., Sherri McKenna (and Trevor Elifritz) of Madison, Wis., and Nicolas Rogers, McKenna Rogers, William Rogers, Sergio Rogers and Renzo Rogers, all of Phoenix, Ariz.; plus seven great-grandchildren: Jacob and Kailee Henderson of Seminole, Evelyn and Olivia Olsen of Clinton, Md., Jonah and Sanni Vogel of Birmingham, Ala., and Henry Rowe of Atlanta, Ga.
The family will welcome visitors at Beggs Funeral Home in Monticello, from 10 a.m. through 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Immediately following will be 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 asks that donations be made to Legal Services of North Florida, the Jefferson Arts Gallery of Monticello, or Refuge House of Tallahassee, or… chocolate.
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