Colleen Moxley Hunnicutt

On Sunday, February 1, Colleen Moxley Hunnicutt (93) died peacefully at the home of her daughter and son in law in Raleigh, NC. Colleen was born on May 19, 1932, to John Henry Moxley and his wife, Myrtle Caudle Moxley near Boonville in Yadkin County, North Carolina. She was the seventh of nine children, growing up on her family farm. Her family farmed tobacco and then moved into local businesses. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as all of her siblings: Dorothy, Kathleen, Margaret, John D, Mable Clara, Jack, Bobby Joe, and Wanda Lou. Colleen and her brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and cousins remained close over the years, with most living in Yadkin and Forsyth counties. Her friends and family called her “Ceedie.”

Colleen was a talented singer. She sang at the North Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Boonville. She and other singers from the church formed a gospel quartet called the Oak Ridge Quartet. Between 1948 and 1952 Colleen was a member of the group as they played in local venues and on local radio stations like WIFM in Elkin and WKBC in North Wilkesboro. They were discovered by a successful gospel songwriter and musician named Wally Fowler. Fowler insisted they needed to change their name since there was another group he worked with called the Oak Ridge Quartet, though that group would soon change its name to the Oak Ridge Boys. Colleen and her group were dubbed the Four Leaf Clover Quartet by Fowler to avoid confusion. At the label Mutual Records, they recorded a single version of Fowler’s song “Bells of Joy Keep Ringing.” The Four Leaf Clovers also got a chance to perform at the Ryman Auditorium. Comically, in her later years, Colleen described that once in a lifetime experience as “not all that fun.”

While she was one of the Clovers, Colleen met a local teacher and football coach named Ben Cody Hunnicutt Jr. He had been introduced to her by her brother, Bobby Joe. Ben had come to Yadkin County after he completed his enlistment in the Army Air Corps and following his graduation from Appalachian State University where he was on athletic scholarship. Ben and Colleen were married on June 8, 1952. Ben and Colleen moved to Winston-Salem, where they lived for many decades with their two children, Lynn and Joel. Ben and Colleen were active members of Unity Baptist and then Konnoak Baptist Church. Colleen sang in the choir at both churches. During this time, she also sang in Handel’s Messiah sponsored by the Mozart Club.

For the past few years, Colleen shared time between the homes of her children, making good friends in their churches and communities. While living in Raleigh with Lynn and Ryke, she attended Edenton Street United Methodist Church and the Ruth Sheets Adult Daycare where she made special friends. In addition to singing, Colleen was a talented artist, even taking watercolor painting classes into her 80’s. Her other interests included gardening, flowers, yard work, birds, and cooking. She was an excellent cook and especially enjoyed preparing desserts. She loved her neighbors, her family, and Jesus Christ.

She took her coffee with two sugars and cream and always wanted a little warm up. Her cookies were always in good supply. Desserts were always her favorite. And she had a ready smile for everyone, especially her favorite canines, Charlie, Lucy, and Beanie.

Colleen is survived by; her daughter, Lynn Longest (Ryke) of Raleigh and her son, Joel Hunnicutt (Mary) of Winston-Salem; grandsons, Patrick Longest (Susannah) of Raleigh and James Harner (Payton) of Kannapolis; many special nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a private funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to either of the following charities: The Shepherd's Center of Greater Winston-Salem https://www.shepherdscenter.org/ or the Ruth Sheets Adult Care Center https://www.esumc.org/ruth-sheets-adult-care-center.