Mary Elizabeth Drewry Hedrick, 87, long-time resident of Rolling Fields Circle, died Tuesday, June 2, 2021 at her residence.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hedrick will be conducted Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rick Easley & Patrick Harlan officiating. Inurnment will be in the Polk Memorial Gardens at a later date. The family will visit with friends from 2:00 until time of the service. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Born in Clifton Forge, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Iris Drewry Gephart and the late James Shepard. She lived with her grandparents in Virginia until 1942 when she moved to Columbia. She attended McDowell Elementary School, Whitthorne Jr. High, and graduated from Central High School in 1952 and while attending high school she was a member of the band, Sub-Deb-Club, and the Columbia Girl’s Cotillion Club. She studied pre-med at Middle Tennessee State College and was the princess of swimming in the first water pageant presented in the new indoor pool. She also was a majorette in the college marching band. Mrs. Hedrick then graduated from St. Thomas Hospital School of Medical Technology in Nashville, Tennessee, and was certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. She attended the University of Tennessee and University of Colorado for post-graduate studies. She was employed by Maury Regional Hospital in 1958 as Chief Medical Technologist and retired with 41 years of service in 1999. She held various positions in the laboratory and was Assistant Director when she retired. She was a member of the American Society of Medical Technologists and served 2 years as President of the Tennessee Society of Medical Technologists. She was certified by the state of Tennessee as a medical laboratory supervisor and by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists as a medical laboratory inspector. She was also a member of the APTA, the Polk Association, and the American Cancer Society. She was a member of the West End Baptist Church and Joy Sunday School Class.
She is survived by her children, Julia Lee (Ronnie) Pendleton, George Franklin (Phyllis) West, Cynthia Jean “Cindy” (Mark) Hedrick McNamee, and Mary Nicole (Tim) Hedrick Rummage; six grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Irwin “Butch” Hedrick; and daughter, Betty Lynn Hedrick.
The family suggests memorials be made to Maury Regional Healthcare Foundation 1224 Trotwood Avenue Columbia, Tennessee 38401.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Ben Gardner and his staff, Hospice Compassus and staff, and caregivers, Tersea Held, Carol Dale, and Trista Reyes.
