Carl Dockery

Obituary For Carl Dockery

Legacy of Mr. Carl James Dockery, Jr.

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” II Timothy 4: 6-8

Mr. Carl J. Dockery, Jr. made his transition to his heavenly home Tuesday, October 12, 2021. He was the first-born son of his loving parents the late Mr. Carl James Dockery, Sr. and the late Mrs. Alma Dwin Dockery. Carl Jr., as he was affectionally called, was born in Shelby, North Carolina October 17, 1937. Carl Jr. attended Cleveland School in Shelby and graduated from Richmond High School in Richmond, Indiana in 1956. At an early age Carl Jr. received Christ and through the years, he was active in his local church, Durham United Methodist Church in Shelby.

Carl Jr. received his formal education from Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics in 1962. While attending Tuskegee Institute Carl Jr. met the love of his life, Chloe “Chlo” Runderson of Mobile, Alabama. After graduation they married, and Carl Jr. enlisted in the United States Army in the 26 Artillery Group (Air Defense) as a Missile Tracking Radar Operator. He was honorably discharged in August 1964.

Carl Jr. and Chlo returned to Shelby where Carl Jr. established Dockery’s Electronics and became involved in the family’s funeral business. Carl Sr. had established Dockery’s Funeral Home and Dockery’s Mutual Burial Association in 1931. Carl Jr. had spent much of his formative years helping his father with many tasks at the funeral home such as driving the hearse and preparing arrangements for funerals. Carl Jr. demonstrated his devotion and commitment to the family’s funeral business by entering mortuary school to the delight of his father. Carl Jr. excelled and received a multitude of awards that included a Certificate of Proficiency in Applied Embalming for having displayed exceptional interest and ability in the Arts and Skills of Embalming and Restorative Art. In September 1969 he received his Mortuary of Science degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Carl Jr.’s father and mother taught their children the importance of community service. His mother would often reinforce this belief by saying, “Serve your community and to do well your part for that’s where the honor lies.” He was the first person of color to be appointed by the governor to the Cleveland Community College Board of Trustees. While serving on the Building Committee, he was responsible for the first multi-million-dollar expansion at the college.

In 1975 Carl Jr. was at the forefront of the campaign to legalize alcoholic beverages in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Following the successful passage of the measure, which black voters significantly supported, he was appointed to the Alcohol Beverage Control Board. Carl Jr. served as chair of the board until his passing.

Additionally, Carl Jr. served on the Cleveland County Human Relations Council Committee in 1996 and received an Outstanding Community Service Award for his work. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP and was very active during the Civil Rights Movement. He was very honored to be the recipient of the NAACP Image Award, June 2018. Carl Jr. served as the first president of the Western District Funeral Directors and Morticians Association of North Carolina. He was serving as Emeritus at the time of his passing. He was owner and operator of Dockery’s Electronics in Shelby.

Carl Jr. was truly committed to his family roots and the importance of maintaining family ties. He was very knowledgeable of both parents’ lineage and made it a priority to share the family history with all family members. One way of showing respect for his maternal grandfather was to make his famous Chow-Chow every year. He grew most of the vegetables and delighted in the two day process. On his father’s side, he made it his lifetime commitment to be an active member and advocate of the Dockery Family Reunion. His face would come aglow when he recalled the history of his great grandfather, Isaac Dockery, a legendary brick mason and he loved to describe one of Isaac’s treasured creations, the New Salem Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tennessee. Carl Jr. was very much like his great grandfather and embodied the same quote that was used to describe him in his obituary – “A good and decent man has died.” Carl Jr. and Chloe were married for 58 wonderful years until Chlo’s death in February of this year – they were truly soulmates. Two beautiful children were born unto their union – the late Mr. Carl James Dockery, III and Mrs. Rosanna Alma Dockery Thompson. He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Rosanna Dockery Thompson (Allen), Raleigh, North Carolina. Two brothers, Charles Dwin Dockery, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and Mr. Paul Edward Dockery (Gilda), Santee, South Carolina. One brother-in-law, Mr. William “Bill” Norsworthy, Shelby, North Carolina. One sister-in-law, Mrs. Sybil Runderson, Mobile, Alabama. Three grandchildren, Ms. Takeeley Keshun Dockery (reared in the home), Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Miss Carlie Morgan Thompson, Raleigh, North Carolina and Mr. Jasper Dockery Thompson, Raleigh, North Carolina. Two great grandchildren, Miss Jada Carlise Lawrence, Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and Miss Kyndall Alysia Lawrence, Kings Mountain, North Carolina and a host of dear relatives and friends.

Carl Jr. loved his family dearly and was proud of his children. He had an animated personality and delighted in making his family and those around him smile, laugh, and feel good about themselves no matter their station in life. He adored music and had a song for every occasion from his extensive music collection. He was a wise person whose advice was often sought with much appreciation. Our family whole-heartedly loved him and will truly miss his kindness, generosity, compassion, laughter and above all, the love he showed to all of us, his friends, his neighbors, his community, and professional associates – all people.

Funeral Service is Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Durham United Methodist Church, Shelby, North Carolina with burial to follow in Webb Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Shelby, North Carolina. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at Ebony & White’s Funeral Service from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm

Masks required for all services!

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