Dorothy Mease McCracken

Dorothy Mae “Dot” Mease McCracken, age 101, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, with her daughter by her side. Dot was born on June 29, 1924, in the Dutch Cove Community of Haywood County to the late Way Medford Mease and Altha Henson Mease.

A lifelong resident of Haywood County, Dot graduated from Bethel High School in 1941 and earned her degree in Home Economics from Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia, in 1946. She later attended graduate school at UNC Greensboro. Dot dedicated 25 years to teaching in the Haywood County school system and spent an additional 13 years teaching sewing and basket weaving at Haywood Community College.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lewis; her sister, Nancy Blazer; and her brother, Way Mease Jr.

Dot is survived by her two children: Janet Hassler of Charlotte and Alan McCracken of Murphy; her brother, Charles Mease of Fletcher; her sister, Margaret Husnian of Black Mountain; and her grandson, Kyle Hassler of Lutz, Florida. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Dot was deeply involved in her community and an inspiration to all who knew her. Her many activities included serving as FCC precinct judge in North Clyde and working as an amateur radio operator and instructor. Her faith was central to her life—she was an active member of Clyde First Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and participated in the WMU. Her life was a testament to strength, courage, and resilience, having survived polio at the age of two.

Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, crafting, decoupage, counted cross-stitch, rug braiding, basket making, and camping with her amateur radio friends at Standing Indian. She and her husband also enjoyed camping across the country.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 2:30 PM at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park in Waynesville, NC.  A Celebration of Life will be held on January 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Clyde First Baptist Church.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in her memory to First Baptist Church, Clyde, NC, PO Box 356, Clyde, NC 28721.

The family would also like to thank Haywood Hospice for their care and support.

The care of Dorothy has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.