Brenda Dobbins
Year Inducted: 2024
Brenda was born in Surry County on April 20, 1949 and grew up in Roaring River, NC. She entered Lincoln Heights School in 1955 and graduated in June 1966. Brenda always loved school and had a strong desire to teach. She had to make the big decision whether to pursue a major in business or history, two of her high school teachers had a huge influence on her decision: Mrs. Nellie Harris (business) and Dr. Alexander Erwin (social studies). In September 1966 she entered North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College (now NC Agricultural and Technical State University) to pursue a degree in Business Education. She completed her student teaching at East Wilkes High School under the supervision of Mrs. Dixie Layell England. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in May 1970, she began interviewing for a teaching position, everyone wanted someone with experience. She became a clerk with North Carolina National Bank, then traveled to Pennsylvania and was a receptionist at North City Congress and later was employed with General Electric. Still desiring to teach she returned to North Carolina and was secretary at NC A&T SU. Wilkes County Schools began a new program of Differential Staffing and Individualized Instruction in 1971, Brenda obtained a position at East Wilkes High School as a Technical Assistant. During the spring of 1972 she signed her first teaching contract and felt she had “died and gone to heaven,” her first principal didn’t think she would be able to handle the students.
For the next 28 years she called East Wilkes home, teaching Typewriting I and II, Accounting I and II, Money Management, Personal Finance and Taxes, and Office Procedures, she began teaching Introduction to Computer and Computer Applications in 1986. She attended Appalachian State University during the summers of 1982 thru 1986 in order to gain Vocational Certification afterwards enrolled at University of North Carolina at Greensboro to pursue her Masters of Science degree in Business Education and received computer certification. Brenda thoroughly enjoyed teaching. She attended Purdue University for the 1993 Shelly Cashman Summer Institute on Windows and Windows Applications. Her first five years she sponsored both Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleaders, co-sponsored Future Business Leaders of America organization, was either an advisor to the Junior Class (Junior/Senior Prom) or Senior Class (Graduation). She prepared a detailed Athletic program from the Coaches and Athletes for 30 years, served on the Disciplinary Committee, Southern Association Accreditation Committees, ASU/Public School Partnership Committee, and Staff Development Committee. Brenda was a delegate with the People-to-People Citizen Ambassador program to China in 1996.
She is a member of Poplar Spring Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as the Financial Secretary, Teen Sunday School teacher, Program Chairperson, and second vice president of the missionary circle. For a number of years, she was the Youth Supervisor responsible for Vacation Bible School and other youth activities. She is at present treasurer of Yadkin Valley Baptist Training Union, First Vice President of the Wilkes County Missionary Union where she has served as president for four years and Special Worker for approximately 12 years.
Brenda is Vice Chairperson for the Lincoln Heights Recreation Corporation, an organization organized after the Wilkes County Board of Education transferred ownership of the Lincoln Heights School building to the community. The school was built during 1923-1924 and first opened during the 1924-1925 school year for black students in Wilkes and surrounding counties. This afforded black students the opportunity to obtain an education beyond the seventh grade. Julius Rosenwald, president of Sears Roebuck, offered to match funding for building the school. Wilkes County citizens assisted the black community in raising the funds. They sold paper bricks for a quarter, baked goods and items from their gardens and fields, etc. in order to build the school which consisted of six classrooms and a multipurpose room. The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is being used as a community center where birthday parties, baby showers, family reunions, etc. are held. The LHRC Board hosts school reunions biannually, bingo games, chickenques, fish dinners, etc. in order to raise funds to operate and replace the 100-year-old metal roof.
Other community activities where Brenda is involved include: Wilkes County Retired School Personnel Treasurer, Wilkes County Library Board, Appalachian Regional Library Board, Wilkes Genealogical Society, and Clingman Medical Center Board Secretary. After retirement she was chief judge for the New Castle Election Precinct and later joined the Wilkes County Board of Elections as secretary for a number of years. Brenda also volunteered with the Wilkes Museum Board and was a 4-H volunteer. She is a lifetime member of the National Education Association, a member of NCAE and NCRSP. For several summers she worked at Wilkes Central High School with the county students in a Career Camp.
The daughter of the late Archie and Margaret Petty Adams and sister to four siblings: James, Albert, Lillian Jane and Lisa. On April 13, 1974 she and Spencer Ray Dobbins were married. They were blessed with a son, Bryan Reece (Brittany) and three grandchildren: Reece, Rye and Rivers. Spencer and Brenda were known as the weekend babysitters for their nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other children. Once they counted and they had assisted 40 plus children. One of her students moved in with them six weeks prior to graduation, they assisted her for two and a half years while she attended college. Spencer died in 2017. Brenda is the great granddaughter of exslaves: Abraham and Mary Jane Petty. She enjoys searching information of her ancestors.
Some honors and recognitions she has received include: East Wilkes Teacher of the Year for 1986-1987 and 1999-2000, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in American Education, Two Thousand Notable American Women, and NCAE Human Relations Award (local/regional).