|
|
|
Dorothy Graham
Dorothy began what would become her lifetime career in August 1957. Upon completion of a business course at Salisbury Business School, she began working as a secretary with a local funeral home. She was licensed as a funeral director in 1962. Being involved with the community and working with bereaved families inspired her to want to give the best possible professional service. She sought to enhance her skills by attending Leadership and Business Institute at Atlanta University Graduate School of Business Administration and Georgia State University College of Business Administration in Atlanta, GA, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN and N.C. Central University in Durham. For twenty years she served as Secretary-Treasurer for the Funeral Directors and Morticians Association of N.C. In this position she traveled throughout most of the United States and received numerous awards.
In the early days we were referred to as Undertaker, then Mortician, and now Funeral Director. Funeral Homes were operated by men who sat on the front porch of a store waiting for someone to die so he could prepare the body for a funeral. Today it is more like an industry that provides Life Insurance, Pre-arrangements, monument sales, notary service, photography, videography, tent and chair rentals, cremation, grief support… all in addition to the sale of caskets, urns, and burial clothing. In 2006 Dorothy’s daughters , Angela and Regina, established the Dorothy Rucker Graham Scholarship at the Davie County Community Foundation. Dorothy is very honored that her legacy will continue to help deserving students for generations. Giving back to the community through various events and involvement has been a priority at Graham Funeral Home. The dream continues as Dorothy’s children and grandchildren take part/connect with the family business, which opened in May 1997. Dorothy remains active in church, several community, professional and civic organizations. I don’t label my work as a job, it’s a ministry. I will continue to serve the community as long as I have good health.” |
|
|
