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November 19, 1933 – February 27, 2024

Ocracoke, NC – Julia Ann Covington Hutcherson, 90, of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, went to heaven on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Julia was born in Crystal Hill, Virginia on November 19, 1933, to the late John William Covington and Arye Holmes Crews Covington. She and her sister, Jo, worked on their family’s tobacco farm growing up which she remembered as being very hard work.

Julia left Crystal Hill after graduating from high school with the love of her life and husband, Cecil Thomas Hutcherson, called Hutch by Julia and all that knew him. Julia and Hutch moved to Emporia, Virginia where she worked as a bookkeeper and Hutch in a local A&P Supermarket. Years later, Julia and Hutch moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In Virginia Beach, Julia and Hutch started their family with the birth of their children, Sharon and Tommy. Julia worked in Virginia Beach as a bookkeeper and office manager while Hutch continued to work for the A&P Supermarket chain. Both worked hard and raised their children lovingly in Virginia Beach with a common goal of owning their own grocery store one day. Julia enjoyed bowling when she wasn’t working and was an avid college basketball fan.

In 1983, Julia and Hutch purchased the Ocracoke Variety Store on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, and moved with their children to the island to realize their dreams. Julia and Hutch worked side by side with their children growing the local grocery store until Hutch passed in 2006. Julia continued to run the store with her children and worked in the office nearly every day until the last several years.

Julia was a familiar and friendly face to so many who visited her at the Variety Store. When you walked into the office her beautiful smile always greeted you coupled with a quick wit and a sincere interest in those she spoke with. She held the hand and the heart of nearly everyone that entered into her life and those that met her walked away with a full heart and a warm hug.

Julia’s heart was filled with pure goodness and love towards all people. Her life is a true inspiration to all who knew her given her generosity, compassion, and ability to make all of those around her laugh and feel the joy that radiated from her sweet soul.

A celebration of life will be held for Julia on Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m. on the grounds of Berkeley Manor, Ocracoke. Pastor Tim Lynch will be officiating. The family will receive friends and loved ones immediately following the service.

Julia is survived by her daughter Sharon Hutcherson Ballance of Virginia Beach and Thomas John Hutcherson (Tommy) of Ocracoke as well as a sister Josephine (Jo) Tyler of Richmond and many beloved nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces. She considered everyone at the Variety Store as her family as well and leaves behind a community of those that she held dear and held her in the same regard. She will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Julia’s name to Ocracoke Community Lunches, Ocracoke United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 278, Ocracoke, N.C. 27960 and/or the Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Community Garden Project – Care of Julia Hutcherson, P.O. Box 1240, Ocracoke, N.C. 27960.

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 is serving the Hutcherson family.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.

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