Almedia Hedrick, age 80, of Crab Orchard. Monday evening, January 12, 2009, God called her to join him and her sisters in his heavenly garden. Almedia had a losing battle with cancer and passed on at the Raleigh General Hospital.
Born May 23, 1928 in Kingston, WV, she was the daughter of the late Perry V. and Sally Holmes Neal.
She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; great-great-grandmother.
Mrs. Hedrick was of the Baptist faith. She had given her life to God and put all her faith in him. She enjoyed the outdoors, working in her flowers, and feeding the birds and squirrels. Almedia was a member of the Beckley Moose and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Buckhannon, WV. She loved fund raisers to help raise money for many charities.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her baby daughter, Victoria Lynn Staton; a still born son; a grandson, Michael Allen Monarchy; a brother, Perry Vance Neal, Jr.; sisters Beulah McMullen, and Frances I. Sizemore. She was the last of her immediate family.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, John L. Hedrick, Sr. of Crab Orchard; three daughters, Gertrude (Tootie) Dabbs and husband John of Charlotte, NC; Beulah E. Monarchy and husband James (J.B.) of Beckley and Palm Bay, FL, and Rebecca Carol Wiseman and husband Robert of Palm Bay, FL; one son, John L. Hedrick, Jr. and wife Jill of Crab Orchard; nine grandchildren, Eugene Schott, Jr. and wife Donna of Charlotte, NC, James Monarchy, Jr. and wife Michelle, Michael Robert Wiseman and wife Rebecca, Carla Swartz and husband Danny, and Kimberly Lynn Wiseman all of Palm Bay, FL, Teresa Darlene Staton-Cole and husband Jason of Beckley, John Lawson Hedrick III of Beckley, Angela Jill Messer and husband Duke, and Joshua Hedrick all of Crab Orchard; ten great-grandchildren, Madison B. Schott of Charlotte, NC, Arianna and Christian Monarchy, Michael Wiseman, Jr. and wife Lynia, Joshua and Brandon Wiseman, and Jason Townsend all of Palm Bay, FL; and D. J. Messer, Brayden Hedrick-Maynor and Wyatt A. Staton-Cole all of Beckley; and one great-great grandson, Cayden Wiseman.
Services will be held Friday January 16, 2009 at 3:00 PM at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley with Rev. Roger Pauley officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.
Family and friends will serve as Pallbearers.
Friends may gather with the family Thursday, January 15, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.
There will be a Memorial Service by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post President.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.
Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV is in charge of the arrangements.