Blanche Hedrick Essick

Lena Blanche Hedrick Essick, 103 years old, of Asheboro, died peacefully Sunday, November 1, 2015, surrounded by family in Lexington. The funeral will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday at First Evangelical and Reformed United Church of Christ at 221 Cliff Road in Asheboro, where she was a member, with Rev. Dale Kennedy officiating. Interment will take place at Randolph Memorial Park. Blanche was born in Hedrick's Grove, Davidson County on August 18, 1912, to John Franklin Hedrick and Ida Mae Beck Hedrick, the second daughter of ten children. While living in Davidson County, she met and married William Kenneth "Scoe" Essick, with whom she later moved to Asheboro. Blanche's many interests included sewing and gardening, baking and making some of the best pimento cheese, as well as travelling with her husband, family and friends. Her husband, Scoe, preceded Blanche in death on August 11, 1985. After his death she continued selling Avon products, an activity which she claimed kept her young and which provided her with frequent visits from her devoted customers. Blanche often told stories about growing up in Davidson County, including buying groceries with her family at the "new" Conrad & Hinkle store in Lexington when it opened in 1919. She also liked to remember her paternal grandfather, Ossten Columbus Hedrick, driving a horse and buggy to Sunday services at Hedrick's Grove Reformed United Church of Christ. Blanche was preceded in death by her husband, William Kenneth "Scoe" Essick, her six brothers, Bob, Fred, Clifford, Harlan, Charlie, and Grady Hedrick, and her three sisters, Ethel Everhart Hilton, Marie Seaford, and Jeraldine Thomason. Surviving are two sons, Billy Joe "Bill" Essick and his wife Pat, and James Darrell "Jim" Essick and his wife Patricia, all of Asheboro; five grandchildren, Inga Essick of Asheboro, Tami Essick Manring, and her husband Wayne, of Trinity, Lori Essick Hicks of Asheboro, David Essick, of Asheboro, and Lauren Essick, of Boone; four great-grandchildren, Haley Manring Taylor and husband Jeremy, Allison Manring Taylor and husband Matt, Laini Hicks, and Ian Hicks; and two great-great-grandchildren, Collins Taylor and Jake Taylor. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at First Evangelical and Reformed United Church of Christ at 221 Cliff Road in Asheboro. Memorials may be made to First Evangelical and Reformed United Church of Christ, 221 Cliff Road, Asheboro, NC 27203 or Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292 The family would also like to express their appreciation to her friend and neighbor, Imogene Bulla, and friend and caregiver, Lucille Beliveau . Arrangements by Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro.