Dorothy Vest Priest

Dorothy “Dot” Vest Priest, age 96, of Carthage, passed away early Friday morning, April 25, 2025, at Tara Plantation with many family members present, just days before her 97th birthday.

Born in Moore County on May 5, 1928, she was the last surviving of 12 children born to Allie Andrew and Bessie Ann Thomas Vest.

Affectionately known to many as “Aunt Dot”, she was a selfless, caring soul who would do anything for others. She always cared for others more than she did about herself and no matter what she was going through, she never complained. She kept giving, kept showing up, kept loving, without asking for anything in return. 

Dot graduated from West End School in 1945 and worked as a bookkeeper for over 40 years with Carthage Furniture Company. After her retirement, she became the caretaker for her husband, Irvin. Irvin was the light of Dot’s life and they were happily married for 58 years until his death in 2006. Not a day passed that she did not think of or mention the love they shared and how much she missed him. 

Dot and Irvin enjoyed friends and social events. They spent many Saturday nights square dancing with friends. Aside from sharing her life with Irvin, Dot shared it with many dear family members and friends and took everyone in as her own. While they never had children of their own, they found happiness in babysitting their great-great niece Abbey Smith Hoover and later Lilly Nunnaley. Following Irvin’s passing, these two girls kept her young for many years and brought her much joy. 

She always welcomed others into her home and rarely let them leave empty handed. Dot loved to gift with food and was most famously known for her pound cake where it was coveted by many as a Moore County delicacy. Often her cakes would bring in hundreds of dollars at church dinners and fundraisers. 

She loved the Lord deeply and was a long-time, faithful member of Priest Hill Presbyterian Church serving in many capacities in which she touched many with her devotion and kindness.  She enjoyed playing the piano, singing and always lent a helping hand in various church events. 

The last of her generation, she was preceded in death by her husband Irvin, her parents, and by her 11 siblings.

She is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she all loved dearly.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Priest Hill Presbyterian Church with Rev. Archie Stevens presiding over services. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Following the service everyone is invited to the fellowship hall to share a piece of pound cake in memory of Aunt Dot. 

Memorials may be made to Priest Hill Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 176, Carthage, NC 28327, or Gentiva Hospice at: Gentiva Foundation, In memory of Dorothy Priest, 3350 Riverwood Parkway S.E. Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30331. 

Funeral services are entrusted to Fry & Prickett Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made to PinesFunerals.com.