Mildred Council, better known across Chapel Hill and North Carolina as Mama Dip, died on Sunday, community members confirmed to WCHL Monday morning. WRAL first reported Council’s death on Monday citing her daughter.

Photo via Mama Dips

Council was a legend in the restaurant community in the Tar Heel State. She opened Mama Dip’s in the late 1970s and has been serving southern comfort food for decades. Council’s family has been taking a larger role in running the restaurant in recent years.

Mama Dip’s has been honored on numerous “Best Of” lists over the years and she authored cookbooks teaching some famous recipes.

Council recently turned 89.

The funeral services for Council will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at Chapel Hill Bible Church on Erwin Road.

People from across the local community took to social media to remember Council.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger recalled the lasting impact Council had on Chapel Hill.

For more than 60 years, our community has been blessed by the leadership and compassion of Mildred Council, affectionately known as Mama Dip.

While many of us enjoyed her tremendous cooking – either as a patron in her restaurant or a guest at the Annual Community Dinner her impact and her legacy encompass so much more.

We are thankful for her service to our community, especially her generous support of our local youth and her strong leadership within the minority business community.

Most importantly, we are indebted to her for continually working to bring people together which is a legacy that will live on.

Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle issued a statement after Council’s passing.

“Our hearts are heavy today as we learn of the passing of beloved community member Mildred Council, known in Orange County and across North Carolina as ‘Mama Dip.’ Among her many accolades, Mama Dip, along with Nerys Levy, founded the Annual Community Dinner held each spring in Carrboro at McDougall Middle School — a wonderful gathering and celebration of our diverse community. Mama Dip will be greatly missed.”

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