Maude Hocutt

After an emergency surgery, month long hospital stay, and some recovery, Elsie Maude Pope Hocutt, 96, passed away Monday morning, October 7th, at Bellarose Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility in Garner, NC. She is survived by her son, Johnny Hocutt, his partner, Edith McBurney, Winston Salem, NC, grandchildren, Sarah Hocutt, Washington, DC, Andrew Hocutt, Charleston, SC, nephews, Fred Bradshaw, (wife Peggy), Knightdale, NC, Kenneth Wall, Zebulon, NC, many other wonderful relatives, neighbors and friends. She is preceded in death by; her daughter-in law, Karen Leah Prater Hocutt, parents, Julian and Goldie Pope, sisters & brothers, Alice, Ila Mae, William “Buck”, (all their spouses), and Buster, all, of Johnston County, NC, and beloved nieces, Linda Bradshaw Strickland Parrish, Shirl Bradshaw Strickland Lee, of Wendell, NC.

Maude was born May 11, 1928.  She grew up on the family farm in Johnston County, went to Corinth Holders School, and graduated from Corinth Holders High School. Those early years were an especially challenging time for many people, but families helped each other in their work, enjoyed spending time together, and had a lot of fun. Along with working on the farm, after high school, Maude got a job in Wendell at Johnson Cotton Company, and then with the Town of Wendell, where she was “clerk of the works”, with a focus on bookkeeping.  She spent the majority of her working years with the Town of Wendell, and concurrently, for many years, also as a Wake County Magistrate. Through these jobs she came to know many people throughout the area.  She was friendly, she enjoyed meeting people and learning about their families. She had a great sense of humor. If you called her on the phone when she answered, most of the time, it was with a little laugh, which was her way of saying, “I’m happy you called.”

About 1960, following her divorce from a physically abusive husband, Maude, along with her young son and mother, moved to a house she bought in Wendell, NC, where she lived until her death.  She had a strong work ethic and was a good provider for her family.  Maude and her mother helped those in need, giving money, buying groceries, providing temporary shelter, etc. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother.  She was a long-time member of Wendell Baptist Church. She especially enjoyed the friendships of her Sunday school classmates. She studied the Bible and she had great faith.

She was an avid reader of the News and Observer.  She had the paper delivered for over 50 years, then she went to digital.  As a youngster, she experienced the time when mule and wagon was her family’s only means of transportation from “the country” into town to the time when, as an older person, she embraced the new technologies. She took advantage of the new ways to keep in touch, and maintain relationships with the community, family and friends that meant so much to her.

You were a blessing to us all. Rest in peace dear one.

Visitation Friday evening, October 11, 6:00 to 7:30 at Strickland Funeral Home, 211 W. Third St., Wendell, NC, 27591.

Funeral Service Saturday, October 12, 11:00 a.m., , Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory followed by graveside service at Greenmount Cemetery, Wendell, NC.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association and/or Wendell Baptist Church.