Obituary of Hazel M. Dotson

Mrs. Hazel Mable Moretz Dotson 92, of Clemmons, NC, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2014. Mrs. Dotson was born in Watauga County, and was a daughter of the late Sion Gideon Moretz and Virginia Dare Stanberry Moretz. Mrs. Dotson was extremely proud of her heritage. She loved the landscape and the harvest and adventure that it provided. Mrs. Dotson earned her Bachelor�s Degree in Elementary Education in 1943 and later her Master�s Degree, both from Appalachian State Teacher�s College, now Appalachian State University. She began her formal teaching profession in a one- room school house in Todd. She taught at Claremont Elementary upon moving to Hickory with her longest stay of 23 years at Long View Elementary in Hickory, where she was chosen �Teacher of the Year� in 1981. She retired in 1985 after 42 years of teaching. Mrs. Dotson was a member of the NC Association of Educators, the National Education Association and The Classroom Teachers Association. She was a Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, Hickory Chapter. Mrs. Dotson was a woman of great faith and lived every day with conviction that the Lord was her Savior and promised her eternal life. She was a former member of Grace Lutheran in Boone and of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Hickory. Upon moving to Clemmons in 2007, she joined Clemmons United Methodist Church. The Upper Room Sunday School Class, Sister�s In Christ Bible Study, Chancel Choir and her kind and friendly neighbors were especially endearing to her. Mrs. Dotson was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, James Finley Dotson, a son, James Franklin Dotson, an older sister, Mary Hubbard, and Ola Mae McGowan, one of twins, as well as brothers, Blaine, Arlie, Herman, Avery, and Cecil. She is survived by her son, Samuel Gwyn Dotson and wife Kathy, of Clemmons. Grandchildren, James Bradley Dotson (Christina) of Raleigh and Gena Gwyn Dotson Hargis (Ron) of Whittset. Great granddaughters, Eva Vaughn Hargis, Carrie Cathryn Dotson, Avery Gwyn Hargis, Ellison Ashley Hargis and Mary Bryce Hargis, and sister Ora Moretz Kincaid of Granite Falls. She loved her grandchildren dearly and her great granddaughters were the apple of her eye. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews that were all very special to her. A celebration of life service for Hazel M. Dotson will be ��held Wednesday, December 3, at 3:00 pm at Clemmons United Methodist Church, 3700 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012. Family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Commons Area of the Church. A graveside service and interment will follow on Thursday, December 4, at 2:00 pm at Mount Lawn Parks and Garden in Boone, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Clemmons United Methodist Church, to the attention of the Sisters in Christ Outreach Missions Fund. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory in Boone is serving the Dotson family.