DR. GENEVIEVE HODGIN GAY
Nov. 15, 1920-Aug. 29, 2013
Dr. Genevieve Hodgin Gay, 92, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Born Nov. 15, 1920, in Goldsboro, she was the daughter of the late Virginia Lewis Hodgin and Gurney Edgar Hodgin. She was married to the late Judge Ballard Spruill Gay.
Dr. Gay was a 1939 graduate of Goldsboro High School. She continued her education at Louisburg College and East Carolina University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in public school music, her Master's Degree in supervision and administration and her Curriculum Instructional Specialist. She furthered her education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, from which she received her Doctorate in Education. Dr. Gay's career as an educator began in the Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools where she taught public school music.
The majority of her career spanned 43 years as a teacher, principal and supervisor in the Northampton County Schools. She retired as the associate superintendent in charge of curriculum and instruction in 1991. She was respected throughout Northampton County as a teacher and administrator who demanded the best of her students and teachers. She instilled pride by stretching those with whom she worked beyond their comfort zones and making sure they knew the progress they made. The quality of her leadership was reflected in the high quality instructional programs provided, as well as the obvious esteem on the part of the staff, students and community for Dr. Gay both as a person and a professional.
In recognition of her work in education to the children of Roanoke Rapids and Northampton County, Dr. Gay was inducted into the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine. In 1985, she was the Outstanding Administrator of Northampton County Schools. Dr. Gay was named the 1988-1989 Outstanding Educator for the NCAE in District 2. In 1995, East Carolina University recognized Dr. Gay as the Outstanding Retired Educator.
Dr. Gay was awarded other honors including Life Membership in the North Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers; Leadership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; President and Woman of the Year in the Jackson Woman's Club; and Woman of the Year of the Jackson Lions Club. She was awarded a Life Membership and the Veteran's Pin in the Order of the Eastern Star and the 60-year Jewel of the Rebekah Lodge. Dr. Gay was inducted into the East Carolina University Educators Hall of Fame in 2012 and was a member of the David Williams Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as church organist and teacher of the Ballard S. Gay Sunday School Class at Jackson United Methodist Church. In 1987, she established the Ballard S. Gay/Genevieve H. Gay Scholarship in the School of Education at East Carolina University. She was past president of the Kirby Music and Literature Club. Dr. Gay was also a member of NEA and NCEA and was a member of Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. She served as a town commissioner for 13 years resigning when she moved to Goldsboro in 1996.
Dr. Gay is survived by her brother, George E. Hodgin Sr. and wife, Sallie, of Goldsboro; one niece, Deborah H. Welch and her husband, Dean; three nephews, Capt. John W. Gay, Robert Hodgin and George E. Hodgin Jr. and wife, Jeanne; three great-nieces, Sarah Hodgin, Danielle Sellers and Deanna Sellers; a great-nephew, George E. Hodgin III.; and a dear friend, Marvin Worley.
A service of remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, with the Rev. James Harry officiating. Burial will follow in Willow Dale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home.
Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Ballard S. Gay/Genevieve H. Gay Scholarship, Institutional Advancement, ECU, 200 E. First St., Greenville, NC 27858-4353 or to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 204 E. Chestnut St., Goldsboro, NC 27530.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on September 1, 2013 10:59 AM