Loletta Faulkenberry

Loletta A. Faulkenberry passed peacefully from this world the morning of May 21, 2020 following several years of declining health. A longtime resident of Burlington, NC, she was born Loletta Arnold July 14, 1925 in Greer, SC. As one of eleven children born to JC and Lillian Arnold in rural SC, she determined early in life that education was the way out of poverty. At a time in our nation when women attending college were allowed to choose from only two professions, either nursing or education, Loletta chose nursing. She earned her nursing diploma in 1948 from Presbyterian Hospital’s School of Nursing, Charlotte, NC. That same year, she became office nurse for Bain L. Heffner, MD in Burlington and married Herbert L. Faulkenberry (of Kershaw, SC). She joined Alamance Co. Health Department in 1957 and became a part-time commuting student, completing a BSPHN from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1965 while pregnant with her second child. She became a supervisor to baccalaureate students at UNC School of Nursing at Chapel Hill in 1968. From there, she advanced to Supervisor and Director of the Home Health Program in Alamance County. By 1973, she had also earned the MPH in Public Health Administration.

After losing her beloved husband, Herbert, to cancer in 1971, she worked valiantly and tirelessly with Governor Bob Scott's administration to draft legislation improving the rights of surviving spouses in NC. A champion for children, she continued to work with NC legislators in attempting to improve access to immunizations for needy children as well as those residing in rural areas with meager means and no access to basic healthcare.

In 1974, she settled in as Assistant Professor at UNC-Greensboro’s School of Nursing before transitioning to Professorship at Watts School of Nursing in Durham, 1980. She finalized her nursing career in 1995 while serving as QA Director at Durham Co. Regional Hospital. Her professional memberships, offices, honors and awards span more than a page. In 1991, she was especially honored to be inducted into “The Great 100” nurses of NC and thereafter sported the specialized car tag.

Never one to be idle, Loletta occupied any extra time with a variety of interests that included floral design, painting, gardening and ceramics. She joined Ikebana International, Chapter 63, Winston Salem, NC in 1977 and had been a very active member until her health no longer permitted.

Surviving family members are her son, Herbert L. Faulkenberry, Jr. of Morgantown, W.V., daughter Ella Jane (Barry) Greeson of Winston-Salem, NC and four beloved grandchildren, Alexander Greeson, Erika Greeson, Collin Faulkenberry and Mariah Faulkenberry. One surviving sibling, Nell Altiere of Miami, FL; one surviving sister-in-law, Jeanette Faulkenberry of Belmont, NC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, honorary donations can be made to either:  Pennybyrn at Maryfield (1315 Greensboro Rd. High Point, NC 27260) - where she felt safe and nurtured until her passing or to her home Church, Providence United Church of Christ, Graham, NC. (Mail to Box 405, Graham, NC 27253.) Donations designated to the fund supporting Providence Memorial Cemetery est. 1763 would be most welcome.

Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.