Alma Hedrick Brady

Alma Hedrick Brady of Osprey, FL and Blowing Rock, NC died January 8th at her Florida residence. Alma was born on February 12, 1916 to Daisy Harris and Burl Vance Hedrick in Pittsboro, NC. Her family moved to Salisbury, NC when she was eight and she attended public schools, graduating as treasurer of senior class at Boyden High School in 1931. She graduated from Duke University in 1935, majoring in business administration. At Duke she was a member and secretary of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. At a lovely ceremony at the First Methodist Church in Salisbury, NC Alma married Charles E. Brady, a Salisbury native, on April 2, 1936. Mr. Brady died on December 6, 2007. Alma, along with her two sisters, was active in the business founded by their father, B.V. Hedrick. After their mother’s death in 1964, the three sisters, sole owners, rotated the principal officers’ positions. With the Hedrick sons-in-law, C.E.Brady (deceased), E.A. Goodman (deceased) and Allen S. Johnson, Jr. (deceased) in key management positions, Hedrick Industries grew into one of the most successful privately owned aggregate and concrete businesses in the Southeast. At the time of her death, Alma remained Chairman Emeritus of B.V.Hedrick Gravel and Sand Co. The Bradys were members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and very active members of the Salisbury community until their retirement after which they divided their time between homes at The Oaks in Osprey, FL and Hound Ears Club in Blowing Rock, NC. Alma served as president of the Junior Woman’s Club and was also passionate about arts and theater. She participated frequently in Piedmont Players productions and served the organization as president and a charter board member. She was presented an honorary doctorate from Catawba College in 1975 and two years later was appointed by Governor Jim Hunt to the N.C. Arts Council. In 1986, the Brady family established the Brady Foundation to support a wide range of charitable purposes. In 1990, Catawba College received a gift to establish Alma Hedrick Brady, Dorothy Hedrick Goodman and Frances Hedrick Johnson Endowment Fund. In 1991, Charles and Alma Brady endowed the very popular Brady Authors Symposium, also at Catawba College. The courtyard between Hedrick Theater and the Peeler Crystal Lounge is named in honor of the Bradys. The Bradys were also charter board members of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center. Alma was the consummate hostess and along with Brady, loved nothing more than sharing their lovely home on North Road with family and friends. She loved golf and bridge, both competitively and socially. Her friends admired and will remember her compassion, her loyalty, and her tolerance. Alma is survived by a son, Burl H. Brady of Salisbury, NC and daughters Susan H. Brady of Aspen, CO, Jane Brady Arnold and husband Anthony of Charlotte, NC and Margaret R. Brady and husband Jim Ellis of Washington, DC. Alma and Brady were also blessed with three grandsons, Philip Whitley and wife Erin, Marc Whitley and wife Lara, and Thomas Arnold and four granddaughters, Travis Brady and husband David Grose, Brady Whitley Arundel and husband Peter, Margaret Arnold and Alexis Ellis. Great grandchildren include Nicholas and Brooks Arundel and Colt and Ansel Whitley. Additionally, Alma is survived by a sister, Mrs. Allen S. (Billie) Johnson, Chairman of Johnson Concrete Company. She was preceded in death by another sister, Mrs. Enoch A. (Dot) Goodman Services: A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan.11th at 4 p.m. at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Venice, Fl. A reception is to follow at the family’s home, 67 Osprey Point Drive Osprey, Fl. A graveside service will be held Saturday, Jan. 16th at 4 p.m. at the Hedrick Singing Tower in Salisbury’s City Memorial Park, 1300 W. Innes St. Summersett Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements. Visitation: After the service, the Brady family will receive friends at the Cloninger Guest House at Catawba College. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice or the Alma and Charles Brady Endowment Fund for Cancer Research, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, DUMC 3828, Durham, NC, 27710.

Alma Hedrick Brady

February 12, 1916 - January 8, 2010