Saturday, May 29, 2021, was an extra special day for this young lady. She celebrated her 101st birthday via Zoom with many family members, friends, and well-wishers. It was certainly a time of reflection, remembrance, renewal, laughs, and great fellowship as the queen of the Hines and Hargrove Families was honored.
Dolly Mae Hines Hargrove was born on May 28, 1920, in Long Reach in the Riceboro, Georgia, community. When she was born in 1920, the cost of a gallon of gasoline was only 30 cents; and you could buy a new Chevrolet for a whopping $525 (countryliving.com)
Her parents were Simon Hines and Sarah Hines, and she had five brothers and seven sisters. All of her siblings are deceased. However, one of her sisters, Mary Hines Brown, lived to see the ripe old age of 102. One of her brothers, Simon Hines and one of her sisters, Betty Jean Hines, both lived to be 94. Longevity runs in the family.
When Dolly and her siblings were growing up, they walked five miles to school. Dolly Hines graduated as Valedictorian of her class from the Liberty County School System. She and her family were faithful members of First Zion Baptist Church in Riceboro. They also walked to church.
On October 19, 1943, Dolly Hines married Johnnie Hargrove Sr., of Riceboro. He was a WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Army during military operations in the Pacific. In the early 1950s, they settled in Goose Creek, South Carolina. The Hargroves were blessed with nine children (seven boys and two girls), 21 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Mother Dolly (as she is called) and her husband were married for 76 years before his death on July 25, 2015, at 95. “My mother lost a daughter and two sons. She home-schooled my sister, who was epileptic, suffered from seizures, and subsequently died due to a seizure. One of my brothers was aboard a cargo ship that sank in October 2015 during Hurricane Joaquin near the Bahamas. Mother’s faith and strength during these times kept our family strong,” said Johnnie Mae, who is her daughter.
Before becoming a double amputee, Mother Dolly was an active member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Goose Creek under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Joe McNeil. “She sang in the choir and served as a missionary. Her favorite Scripture is Psalm 23, and her favorite songs are “This Little Light of Mine” and “I’m Going to Trust in the Lord.”
Johnnie Mae said her mother taught them to be nice to people and don’t get angry. “My mother believes in helping people and loves caring for children. My mother is a good cook and enjoyed cooking when she was able. She loved to bake sweet potato pies; her pies were delicious.”
A diligent homemaker and former U.S. Postal Service employee, Mother Dolly has experienced a lot during her 101 years. “She is a magnet for love and affection as she remains the rock of her family, the tie that binds, and the peaceful, pleasant spirit that comforts and welcomes so many who are thankful for this family matriarch,” Johnnie Mae said.