Helen Hayes Dosier

Helen Hayes Dosier, 83, departed this world to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ on Sept. 29, 2023. Helen was born Nov. 13, 1939, in Lowgap, NC, the daughter of Acus John Hayes and Roxie Thompson Hayes. Helen graduated from Beulah High School before earning a BS degree in home economics from Appalachian State University. She would later earn a master’s degree in Adult Education from North Carolina State University. On June 16, 1963, Helen married Exton Guy Dosier. The two had grown up on neighboring farms in the Pine Ridge area. On their 60th anniversary this past summer, E.G. recalled meeting Helen for the first time at church, describing her as “the cutest girl I’d ever seen.” Helen began her career in the NC Agricultural Extension Service as a 4-H agent in Sampson County. As a young couple, E.G. and Helen spent several years in Salisbury, in Rowan County, before eventually settling near Sparta in Alleghany County. Helen worked as a Home Economics Agent and eventually became the second woman in North Carolina to serve as a County Extension Director of the NC Agriculture Extension Service. During her time as a Home Economics Agent and particularly as Alleghany’s County Extension Director, Dosier was a passionate advocate for the people and development of Alleghany County. She expanded the Extension Homemakers Program, organizing clubs throughout the country that promoted education and experiential learning on various topics. During her tenure, Dosier also helped develop (in collaboration with other agencies) Special Opportunity Camps for underprivileged youth. Dosier earned the Distinguished Service Award from The National Association of Extension Home Economists in 1983. In 1987 she was recognized for leadership and dedication by the Alleghany County Advisory Leadership Council. She continued her dedication to lifelong learning and improving Alleghany County once she retired, through participation in the Alleghany Garden Club and Alleghany Woman’s Club. True to her home economics background, Dosier was an accomplished seamstress and terrific cook, and made most of the clothing for her young daughters. She loved painting ceramics. Despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) more than 40 years ago, Helen treated every day as if it would be the best one yet and offered a smile and hospitality to anyone at her door. Her ideal day would almost always involve a large group of family and friends laughing and talking around the dinner table. Helen Dosier is survived by her husband, Exton Guy Dosier; two daughters, Susan Dosier Keller (Des) of Charlotte and Tammy Dosier of Sparta; two brothers, Foster (Jan) of Denton and Carl (Lillar) of Lowgap; two granddaughters Lucy Keller of Decatur, GA and Frankie Keller (Taylor) of Asheville, and multiple nieces, nephews and family members. Visitation will be conducted on Monday, October 2, 2023 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Grandview Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Sparta First Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. with graveside services to follow at Ladonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Mt. Airy. Memorials may be made to Medi-Home Hospice of Alleghany, PO Box 1287, Sparta, NC 28675 or The Sparta Woman’s Club, Attn.: Karen Leys, PO Box 283, Sparta, NC 28675. Grandview Memorial Funeral Home is proudly serving the Dosier family and if you wish, online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.grandviewfuneralhome.comRead Obituary