Edith "Tootsie" Lawson Gregory, 83, of Hot Springs, N.C. went to her heavenly home on March 12th 2025, at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation Center in Flat Rock, N.C. Tootsie was born June 24, 1941, in Hot Springs, N.C. to Pearl and Albert Lawson. She married her sweetheart Clyde F. Gregory on November 18, 1958.

She loved Jesus, her family and her community. She was a lifelong member of Hot Springs First Baptist Church. Tootsie, affectionately known as "Nanny" to many, loved baking "Nanny Bread," making fried chicken for her family, and preparing various baked treats. Her grandchildren often said she was the best "cook" in all of North Carolina. In addition to her culinary talents, she enjoyed writing words of encouragement about the love of Jesus on flyers and letters. She even submitted some of her writings to be published in the local newspaper. Together with her husband, Clyde, they supported the town of Hot Springs by running a small business, the Apple Basket, raising money through her bake sales for the local food pantry, and even playing the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the town's Christmas parade and organized the town's Easter parades.

Tootsie is preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Franklin Gregory and her siblings Gaynell Lawson, Waco Culbertson, Frank Lawson, Drew Lawson and Harold Paris.

She is survived by her brother, Johnny Lawson; children, Jeffrey Gregory, Lisa (Gregory) Ehmann and Brady Ehmann, and Scott and Tammy Gregory; her six grandchildren, Amanda (Gregory) Ladner and Alex Ladner, Tiffany (Gregory) Ferrarini and Vinnie Ferrarini, Jeremy Gregory, Michael Ehmann and Katie Martin-Ehmann, Gavin and Hannah Gregory, and Aaron Gregory; her great-grandchildren, Kayleigh and Josiah Young, Emma Harmon, Vincent Ferrarini, Ethan Ladner and Eli Ladner; and her great-great-grandchild, Kehlani Young; as well as many precious nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be held for Tootsie on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Hot Springs First Baptist Church, 35 Meadow Lane, Hot Springs, N.C. 28743. Visitation will be held from 2:00pm-3:00pm, followed by funeral services at 3:00pm. Pastor Bill Higgins will officiate. Following the funeral service, graveside services will be held at Fairview United Methodist Church Cemetery, 202 Fairview Loop, Hot Springs, N.C. 28743, where Tootsie will be laid to rest.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Hot Springs First Baptist Church Community Outreach Fund, which provides direct assistance to those in need within the local community. Donations can be made through https://www.gofundme.com/f/edith-tootsie-gregory, or by check payable to Hot Spring First Baptist Church, and mailed to P.O. Box 613, Hot Springs, N.C. 28743.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.