Obituary
Timothy Mark Hendrix

Timothy Mark Hendrix, 58, beloved child of God, went home to be with the Lord on July 16, 2023. Tim was born in N. Wilkesboro, NC and grew up in nearby Hays. He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Frances Josephine Felts Hendrix and Mr. Edward Hoover Hendrix, and survived by his brother Benny Edward Hendrix, sister-in-law Ai Yen Hendrix, his beloved partner Mahmod Eslami, cousins, and a host of beloved friends and colleagues.

Tim was inspired to be a compassionate and gentle man by his father and inspired to be an accomplished educator by his mother. He and his brother were early Apple adopters and shared that knowledge with many. Their Baptist faith and traditions formed the heart of Tim’s identity.

Tim’s natural musical abilities were evident even as a small child. He taught himself piano before his lessons began. He played trombone and was drum major at both North Wilkes High and Wake Forest University, where some of his closest friendships began.

Tim’s love for music was matched by his love for math, and he grew up in a family that valued education. Tim completed degrees in both math and music at Wake Forest University and the University of Illinois. Eventually, he chose to complete his doctoral studies in math and chose math education as his career. Tim’s love for music was reflected in his music ministry through faithful service with Garden City Baptist in Champaign, Illinois, and Greystone Baptist in Raleigh.

Tim was a professor at Meredith College since 2002. He was an outstanding mathematics teacher and beloved by his students. Tim was involved in multiple STEM grants throughout his career that supported both teachers and students. He held many leadership positions over the years at Meredith, including PRISM director, Faculty Council chair, and Director of General Education. Tim was particularly proud of his work with the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) where he filled many roles including Executive Director for 6 years. Tim was honored with AMTE’s Nadine Bezuk Excellence in Leadership and Service Award in 2022.

Tim loved family, friends, Greystone, his Meredith colleagues and students, Italy, cooking and great food (both gourmet and country), the Deacons and the Illini, fashion, and style. Though Tim never had children, he treated those of his friends as his own. Tim fought through tremendous health challenges all his adult life yet was always there to comfort others in their time of need. Despite those challenges, Tim was victorious in his fight to live happily.

Late in life, while teaching in Italy, Tim met Mahmod Eslami of San Nicolo, Italy. Cancer did not keep them from sharing an important reunion in March. The love and support Tim and Mahmod received from Tim’s Meredith, Wake Forest, and Greystone friends meant more to him than they will ever know.

The Rev. Chrissy Williamson and Greystone Baptist invite Tim’s family, friends, colleagues, and students for a celebration of life on Saturday, September 23rd at 11 am at 7509 Lead Mine Rd in Raleigh. Tim’s love of music will be celebrated by the Greystone Choir and The Gracetones under the musical leadership of Tim’s esteemed colleagues: Rev. Dr. Christian McIvor, Mrs. Pam Weis, Rev. Mike Eller, Ms. Abigail Charbeneau, and Rev. Pepper Choplin. Afterward, Greystone Baptist will host a reception in the fellowship hall.
Memorial contributions in Tim’s name may be sent to Greystone Baptist Music Ministry, 7474 Creedmoor Rd., Box 302, Raleigh, NC 27613, or Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27607-5298 for math and music scholarships.

….Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Psalm 23, NRSV