Lessie Eugenia Gaddy

Lessie Eugenia Gaddy died peacefully at her home in Asheboro on January 29, 2013, after a long, brave struggle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 79 years old. Lessie was born November 12, 1933, in Clinton, North Carolina, the only child of Milton and Thelma Robinson Gaddy. She graduated from East Carolina College in 1956 and enjoyed a long career in public service as a social worker for the State of North Carolina. Lessie was playful, wry, saucy, adventurous, outspoken, open-minded and big-hearted. She loved sports and games of all kinds and was a skilled athlete, excelling at basketball and tennis in her younger years and competing in the North Carolina Senior Games well into her retirement. She was also a formidable Scrabble player. It was over a Scrabble board during the snowy winter of 1960 that she kindled her early friendship with Helen Sink, her life partner of 51 years. Lessie and Helen shared a love of travel and saw much of the world together. They shared a deep, sustaining religious faith. And they shared a love of family, especially children. They were devoted aunts to 19 nieces and nephews, 26 great-nieces and great-nephews, and 14 great-great nieces and nephews. Lessie was preceded in death by her parents; her life partner, Helen V. Sink; and Margaret Nell Biggane, the cousin she looked upon as a sister. A celebration of Lessie’s life will be held at 1:30 P.M. Sunday, February 24, 2013 at Becks Lutheran Church, with the Reverend Angela F. Jackson officiating, the Reverend David K. Huddle assisting. A private graveside service will be held in the church cemetery prior to the service. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. For their unwavering dedication to Lessie, the family is deeply grateful to the Stowe family of Asheboro:Missy ,Stephen, Garth, Ben, Jo Ann, Erikka Emmons, her husband Jonathan, and their infant son Jadon, who became Lessie's bright light after she lost Helen. Thanks also to Sherry Gilchrist for her help and kindness. Thanks, finally, to Lessie's hospice nurses, whose compassionate care helped her leave this life with dignity and grace. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Randolph County, 446 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203 or to Becks Lutheran Church, 441 Becks Church Road, Lexington, NC 27292.