Imogean (Jean) Dickerson Hay, age 85, passed away on November 14, 2017, at the Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham, NC. She was born October 7, 1932 in Durham, and was the only child of the late H.D. Dickerson and Elsie May Herndon Dickerson. In 2008, she was preceded in death by her husband Wellington Jackson (Jack) Hay, Jr.
Jean resided at “The House That Jack Built” on Farrington Road, Chapel Hill, NC until early 2015. As her health declined she resided at Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham.
Jean is survived by three step children, Charles “Tony” Hay, Sr. (wife Gloria), of Creedmoor, NC, Michael W. Hay, Sr. (wife Loretta), of Hillsborough, NC, and Deborah Hay Medlin (Husband Steven), of Chapel Hill, NC; three step grandchildren, Charles Hay, Jr., John Hay, and Mike Hay, Jr.; and one great grandson, and a host of 12th, 13th,14th, and 15th Herndon generation cousins, and many kissing cousins in Kerr Lake, NC and Florida.
Jean Graduated from Durham High School with the “Classy Class of 1950.” She received the first scholarship in retailing awarded by the Durham Merchants Association. She attended Richmond Professional Institute now known as Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and also attended summer school at Duke University in Durham.
For seven years she was the assistant merchandise buyer in Durham for Ellis Stone Department Store, now known as Macys.
In 1952, she married Carroll H. Whitaker in New York City on the National TV “Bride and Groom Program.” Moving to Florida in 1959 she was employed by Belk’s Department Store as a buyer of ready to wear and sportswear. She was the fashion coordinator of advertising for three stores. In 1964 she transferred to store number 397, in Titusville, FL, as the lingerie and accessory buyer.
After relocating to Titusville, she divorced Mr. Whittaker, and married Henry H. Lenz, Jr., a Cuban refugee. They owned and operated Lenz Auto Electric. In June of 1970, she divorced Mr. Lenz and moved back to Durham, NC, and married her high school friend Wellington Jackson (Jack) Hay, Jr.
In 1993, she retired from Belk’s Department Store. She enjoyed dancing as a member of several square dance clubs and attending USA national dance conventions with her husband Jack. She also enjoyed traveling with her step-mom Kathleen Murry through Europe.
She participated in many health care studies with Duke University Medical Center in Durham, including the Joseph & Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
She received several awards during her life time. The “Key Volunteer Award” as a concerned individual by the Durham Herald Newspaper, and the Volunteer Service Bureau Award in appreciation for her valuable contribution to the community. In 1980, she was made an honorary member of the Durham High School Latin Club. She was an active member of the Ephesus Baptist Church and co-teacher of the Stepping Stone Class until her health began to fail. In 1982, she became a volunteer with the prison and outreach programs.
The family will greet friends and guest at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham, on Thursday, November 16, 2017, from 5-7 pm.
A graveside service will be conducted at 11am, on Friday, November 17, 2017, at Maplewood Cemetery, section 18, by Dr. Bill Biggers.
The family would like to thank all the care givers for their support during her illness.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hope Valley Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
Anita Gonzalez
I want to thank the family of JeanHay and Mike Hay, for your lost.Jean was a mom to me,Anita Gonzalez and husband,Conrado Gonzalez.She was well known all over the world.She will be missed dearly by all of us.She is with God,who she worshiped all the time.God bless the family.