Dorothy Hawkins Wise

Dorothy Hawkins Wise, 98, of Newberry, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at White Oak Manor surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Wise was born on January 8, 1925, in Prosperity, SC.  She was the daughter of the late George Irvin Hawkins and Rilla Epting Hawkins.  She was predeceased in 2002 by her husband of 56 years, Charles Edwin Wise.

Mrs. Wise graduated from O’Neal High School and the Newberry College business program.  She was an outstanding basketball player during her high school and college career.  For 37 years she was a medical secretary and then office manager for the medical practice of doctors James Underwood, Elmer Epting and John Green where she truly enjoyed her job.  She delighted in helping others, and she always greeted the patients with kind words and a sweet smile.

Mrs. Wise was a faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church and an active member of the Women of the Church as long as her health permitted. 

She is survived by her four children, Vivien Buffinger (Ralph) of Prosperity, Judith Whitehead (Tommy), Ann Cannon and Grady Heber Wise all of Newberry.  She was the loving and adored “Dot Dot” to six grandchildren, Tracy B. Swygert (Tim), Mickey Armstrong (Heather), Christa B. Cassidy (Chris), Eric Cannon (Kara), Camryn C. Branham (Chris), and Ashley C. Brock (Riley).  Mrs. Wise was also the proud great-grandmother to Morgan Swygert, Kella Battiste, Kathryn Armstrong, Charleigh Armstrong, Corbin Cassidy, Carson Cassidy, Ryan Cannon, Corey Cannon, Evan Cannon, Perry Cannon, Lucy Branham, Cooper Branham, Lily Brock and Sullivan Brock.  She also leaves to cherish her memory many special nieces and nephews.

 Mrs. Wise was the last surviving sibling of her family.  She was predeceased by her sisters, Arlie Frazier, Alda Rae Pugh Amick, Elise Bedenbaugh Martin, and Reba Weisner and her brothers, Bittle Hawkins and Woodrow Hawkins.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 pm Sunday, August 20, 2023, at St. James Lutheran Church by the Rev. Rodney Gunter.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 228 Jalapa Road, Newberry, SC 29108.

Active pallbearers will be her grandsons and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to the caregivers at White Oak Manor and to Dr. Michael Bernardo and Laura Odom and to MSA Hospice.  We are also grateful to our special friend Trina Singley for her loving care of our mother while she still resided at home.