Ethalinda "Dixie" Griffin Allred

Ethalinda “Dixie” Griffin Allred, 91, of Reidsville, Rte 4, died June 30 at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro. She was born January 16, 1923, as the fourth child of Charlie and Etha Jones Griffin. During a doctor visit when Ethalinda and her three older siblings were getting their vaccinations, the doctor remarked on the unusual names of her older siblings and told her father that Ethalinda was going to be “Dixie”, and that became her name. Dixie was a graduate of Bethany High School and Elon University. She returned home and taught in the Bethany elementary grades for thirty-three years. In 1961, she was the Teacher of the Year, in the Bethany Primary Division. As a lifelong member of New Lebanon Christian Church, she taught a class for young people in grades five through eight and worked with Bible School for many years. In addition, she served as Church Historian and helped the church in many other ways. She worked with the 4-H Club for more than twenty-five years. She went to summer camps from the mountains to the coast and in between. One summer, a leader from Michigan stayed with Dixie, and the next year, she went to Michigan. The two leaders stayed in touch until 2013. Dixie was active at the Bethany Civic Center and was a member of the Bason Homemakers Club. She was also a member of the Grange at Intelligence, NC. Dixie was instrumental in getting the Bason School log house moved to the yard of New Lebanon Church, since the church was organized in that school house. On July 11, 1987, she married The Reverend Fred Allred, who died on August 9, 1993. They enjoyed woodworking and sold their crafts in the Blue Ridge Mountain craft stores. Dixie was predeceased by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Iredell and Milton; and one sister, Virginia Bailey. She is survived by three sisters, Aleta Griffin Ellison of Winston-Salem, Marian Griffin Law of Pembroke, Va, and Anne Griffin Leebrick of Reidsville, two sisters-in-law, Liviah Griffin of Stokesdale and Rachel Moffett of Ramseur. In addition to her sisters, she will be missed by her many nephews, nieces and friends. Dixie’s family is very grateful to Tammy and David Nelson for the help that they gave to Dixie for many years. The family also appreciates the variety of ways that other neighbors helped her. A funeral service will be at New Lebanon Church at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 3, 2014 with The Reverend Mark Harris officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends in the Fellowship Hall after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.