Mary Lucille Hodge Tolbert

Mary Lucille Hodge Tolbert of Lenoir, North Carolina passed away the evening of July 3, 2022 at Cone Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina just several hours shy of her 94th birthday. She was surrounding by her loving daughters. Lucille was born July 4, 1928 in Burke County to the late Daniel Boone Hodge and Daisy Maebell Hodge. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, William Avery Tolbert in December of 2008. Lucille is preceded in death by her son- in-law, Dick Benton; sisters, WillieMae Hodge Harmon and Betty Hodge Hawkins; and brother, Paul Hodge. Employed by Blue Bell and later JP Stevens, Lucille also spent a great deal of time while her children were younger as a Grade Mother and a teaching assistant at West Lenoir Elementary School. She enjoyed ceramics classes and made many wonderful items her family will continue to cherish and enjoy. Her Church family at Fellowship Baptist Church in Hudson was most important to her especially while she could actively participate. Affectionately known as “Sugarfoot” by her loving husband, Avery, Mama by her girls, Cille by her family and friends, and her most cherished endearment of all was Nana as called by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. And she was a caretaker to many family members over the years. Lucille enjoyed a life spent with family and friends. There was always coffee and cake when visitors dropped by, usually on a daily basis. She loved fireworks on the Fourth of July and decorating her home for Christmas with many items she made, collected, and gifted by family and friends. Christmas was the highlight of her year and she enjoyed visits from loved ones during the holiday season. Great pleasure was found walking on the beach, collecting shells, watching the boats pass by, and even going on an occasional boat ride. Most importantly time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren gave her great joy. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Linda Tolbert Benton of Greensboro, Cathy Tolbert Mitchum (Bill) of Greenville, North Carolina, and Kimberly Tolbert Stanbury (Edgar) of Lenoir; grandchildren: Brad Benton (Rachel), Will Benton (Kerri), Jiles Stanbury (Shanon), and Zachary Stanbury (Tiffany); step-grandsons: Mitch Mitchum (Wendy) and Todd Mitchum (Farrah); great-grandchildren: Emma, Gracie, and Landon Benton and Marlee, Leah, Summer, and Ryder Benton, Abagail and William Stanbury, and Avery, Ethan, and Alison Gentry; and step-grandchildren: Will, Emily, Gray, and Faith Mitchum. Lucille leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as, her beloved dog, Bear. There will be a service held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jim Hamby presiding. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Interment will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Park following the service. The family asks that memorials be sent to Fellowship Baptist Church, 2682 Fairwood Drive, Hudson, North Carolina 28638 or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfuneralservice.com. Evans Funeral Service is serving the family of Lucille Tolbert.