WILMINGTON — Dorothy Regan Daughtry passed away on July 17, 2025 at Davis Health Care Center in Wilmington.
Dot was born on May 18, 1938 in Oxford, NC, the daughter of the late Eli Troy Regan and Dorothy Tillotson Regan. She was valedictorian of her senior class at John Nichols School, a finalist for the Angier B. Duke scholarship at Duke University, and was an Alice M. Baldwin scholar during her years at Duke.
After graduation from Duke, Dot taught first grade in the Raleigh City Schools. Soon after her arrival in Raleigh, Dot was introduced to Hugh Daughtry, the man who would become her husband of 64 years. They married after a whirlwind courtship, and had a happy and productive life together, raising their two sons as Hugh pursued his banking career. Dot was instrumental in Hugh’s success, often serving as a hostess at business and social events, and was his most trusted advisor, as well as always providing a comfortable and loving home.
Dot had a passion and talent for painting, an interest she shared with her mother; after the two of them had begun taking art classes together, Dot began doing individual portraits, and within a few years she was very in demand as a portrait artist. She continued and honed this craft for over 40 years, and her work hangs in churches, colleges, hospitals, and hundreds of homes throughout eastern North Carolina. She completed studies in fine art at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida while she and Hugh were living there. Dot also served on the Board of Directors of the Greenville Museum of Art, greatly enjoyed being a part of the Wilmington Art Association, and valued the time spent with her “crit” group of fellow artists Betty Brown, Barbara Jamison, Jody Rippy and Jenny Wright. Other pleasures of Dot’s were her bridge group at Cape Fear Country Club and the Surf Club, as well as the warm fellowship from her circle at First Presbyterian Church.
More than anything, Dot’s top priority was always her family. There was never a more loyal and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother or great grandmother. Dot and her older sister Clare lovingly assisted their parents in raising their five younger siblings. She and Hugh rarely missed any of their grandchildren’s baseball or basketball games, track, cross country or swim meets, dance or choral recitals, graduations or weddings. Her grandchildren always loved staying with her, where they always woke up to a “Granny breakfast.”
In addition to her parents, Dot was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Elburn Hugh Daughtry Jr., and her sister Clare Regan Bonner.
She is survived by her sons, Elburn Hugh Daughtry III (Robin), Christopher Brian Daughtry (Mitzi), granddaughters Cameron Daughtry Piersanti (Matthew), Caitlin Daughtry Cook (Darren), Regan Elizabeth Daughtry (Jesse Vassos), grandson Zachary Knight Daughtry (Allison), great grandson Henry Joseph Cook, sister Susan Regan McDonnell, brothers Eli Troy Regan Jr. (Brenda), Duncan Cabell Regan (Lynn), Michael Kerry Regan (Charlotte), Patrick Lowell Regan, and a sister-in-law, Ann Barry Daughtry.
A graveside service for family will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 9:30am at Oleander Memorials Gardens. A memorial service to remember Dot will take place at 11am at First Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow in Gilmour Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Third Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, or to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Davis Community and of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, as well as beloved caregiver Dorothy Garner, for their wonderful care of Dot.
