MANTEO — Dorothy Anne Robbins Leckie, age 91, of 202 Uppowoc Ave, Manteo, NC, died peacefully in her sleep, Sunday, December 1, 2019.
She was born March 26, 1928 in Charlotte, NC to Homer Erwin and Lily Baskerville Robbins, and was a granddaughter of Charlottean Capt. John Gordon Baskerville and his wife Sudie Maglenn Baskerville. A sister, Joyce Elizabeth, preceded her in death at the age of six.
Dot loved life –if you were with her, you were having fun! She was proud of her Baskerville heritage and loved regaling friends with countless stories about growing up in Atlanta and Charlotte. She was also a wealth of knowledge about Charlotte and its early days as well as other Southern cities, particularly Atlanta. She vividly remembered watching the parade of celebrities, including Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, heading to the 1939 premiere of “Gone With The Wind” at the Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta while hanging out a window from a building across the street with a friend!
She had many friends and she knew how to be a good friend. She was generous to a fault and delighted in spending time with the people she cared about. Marvelous trips with her children to Russia, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and England were life highlights.
Dot was an incredibly creative person, and when she decided to do something, she was “all in.” Photography was a prime example. She started taking photographs seriously when she moved to the coast; almost immediately she won First Place in a High Point Theatre Arts Gallery Photography Show with one of her beach images. She took off from there and wound up amassing an amazing portfolio of beach, landscape, and historic homes photography which was displayed in galleries and shows along the North Carolina coast.
She designed her stunning home in Ocean Isle by herself; there was not a single square foot of wasted space, and every room functioned beautifully! Dot was proud of each of her homes and was a gracious hostess in all of them. Her tea parties with the children of friends were especially delightful – hats were “de rigueur” – you can imagine the fun!
How many of us still sip our libations from one of Dot’s lovely hand-painted wine glasses? She created her own designs – from adorable beach creatures to elegant palm leaves – and
hand-painted hundreds of sets of glasses that were then sold in Ocean Isle and Southport. Dot didn’t discriminate though; she still loved her Waterford crystal and used it every day for herself as well as when she entertained!
Her book of poetry, Moments in My Time, reflected her diverse interests and love of that art. Published in 2013, the book was comprised of her poems written over the years; they covered everything from her early childhood memories through mid-life and on to special moments in her later years. She had a wonderful time putting that book together and had an equally wonderful time giving it to her friends.
Dot loved to entertain; she was a great cook and a fabulous hostess! Her annual spaghetti dinners in High Point over the Christmas holidays were epic – we all still treasure each year’s special ornaments she used as place cards.
When she lived in Ocean Isle, she and her candy-apple-red golf cart were a familiar sight particularly at Halloween when she decorated it and rode around the area delivering candy to the trick-or-treaters! The golf cart was always the preferred ride to her Ocean Isle Bridge Club gatherings!
After moving to Manteo “Miss Dot” became a familiar sight around town decked out in her flashy, big jewelry and her vast array of hats. She loved being one of the “Friday Girls” at the Cuttin’ Sedge Salon and she delighted in spending time with that wonderful fun group of ladies.
In addition to her many creative talents and fun-loving side, Dot was also a strong, savvy businesswoman, and community volunteer.
A graduate of Sacred Heart College in Belmont, NC, she began her business career working for Southeastern Factors in Charlotte, a company that later merged with Barclay America. After marriage she moved to Austin, TX, and became part of the Auditor’s staff at the University of Texas. A business change took the family to Greenville, SC where she became Secretary/Treasurer of Rimer, Inc. and its multi-business interests in the state of South Carolina. Returning to Charlotte in 1963, she accepted a position as Internal Auditor for Esso, a forerunner of Exxon, at their southeastern division office. She later became Chief Accountant of the Transport Clearing Division office on Fourth Street.
1966 the family moved to High Point, NC where Dot became Secretary, Treasurer and Comptroller of Automatic Lathe Cutterhead Company with offices in High Point and Hickory. She remained in this position for 32 years. She was a charter member and officer of the National Association of Accountants North Carolina chapter and became its first female president in 1980.
Following her retirement in 1997, she moved to Ocean Isle Beach and later in 2005 to Manteo.
In High Point, Dot was a dedicated volunteer for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and was part of the committee formed to establish and build St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. In addition to teaching Sunday School, she was a delegate for many years to the Episcopal Convention of the Diocese of North Carolina. She also served on the Diocesan Bishops’ Committee for Deaf Congregations and became proficient in sign language which she used to introduce the Bishop at the state conference.
She also gave her time to numerous civic organizations. Following in the footsteps of her mother who was the first woman in Charlotte to vote when women were granted suffrage in 1920, Dot frequently volunteered at the polls. She felt passionately about the right to vote. She was a founding member of High Point Community Theatre and served as its first Treasurer; she loved the Arts and was always available when help was needed. For many years she was also a weekly volunteer at High Point Regional Hospital.
In Ocean Isle she was an active volunteer with the Museum of Coastal Carolina and the Ingram Planetarium. She continued her community service in Manteo as a long-time volunteer at the Outer Banks Hospital.
Dot is survived by three children: Anthony Blake Leckie, Jr. (Sheila) of Charlotte, NC; Melody Elaine Leckie of Manteo, NC; Cherie Leckie Amos (Trip) of High Point, NC; one grandchild: Michelle Anne Leckie (Matt Davies) of Kill Devil Hills, NC; two great-grandchildren: Eloise Blythe Davies and Penelope Rose Davies, also of Kill Devil Hills, NC; special cousins Meredith and Tom Forshaw of Charlotte, NC and long-time friend MaryAnn Luedtke of Greensboro, NC, along with many cousins, god-children and friends.
There will be a memorial service at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 303 Eastchester Dr, High Point, NC on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 1:00 PM. Interment will be at Manteo Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dare County Hospice: PO Box 669, Manteo, NC 27954 or to Outer Banks Conservationists, PO Box 721, Manteo, NC 27954.
Twiford Funeral Home, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
What the New Year has in store for me I cannot tell, but I am sure
The hand of God holds the key to my destiny.
What doors it will unlock, I do not know. What lies beyond remains a mystery.
But I will keep my courage high and faith steadfast.
And try to greet each day with a smiling face.
Believing that my future rests secure In His great love and abiding grace.
Dorothy R. Leckie
