Barbara Fulp

Surrounded in her home by her loving children and family, Barbara Ellen Potter Fulp died peacefully on April 5th, 2026 at the age of 92. Barbara approached life with dignity, kindness, and purpose, dedicating herself to making her community a better place for all. Her deep love for her family was truly the joy of her life.

She was born on October 8, 1933, to Charles and Sadie Potter in the small community of Croatan, North Carolina. During her childhood, Barbara developed a love of animals, a love of gardening, a strong sense of responsibility, and a life-long love of reading and learning. After graduating from New Bern High School, she pursued a career with the Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company, quickly rising to a supervisory position prior to meeting the true love of her life, James W. “Buddy” Fulp. Together, over the course of their 43-year marriage, they created a loving home for their two cherished daughters, their granddaughter, and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

As an inspirational mother, Barbara raised her girls in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and in Elkin, all the while working outside the home to help support her family. First and foremost, Barbara loved and enjoyed teaching others and worked with preschoolers in Headstart and with Down’s Syndrome adults at the Elkin Group Home. Barbara valued her involvement in civic organizations, clubs, and non-profit organizations. At Elkin Presbyterian Church, she delighted in her church family and was renowned as an excellent cook and organizer, as well as a long-time active Elder.

As the matriarch of several generations of her family, Barbara’s greatest achievement was creating a family united by love, respect, and shared traditions. Thanksgiving and Easter dinners at Barbara’s house were legendary, as were church picnics held in her beautiful yard. Having witnessed nearly a century of history, Barbara’s wisdom and story-telling talents preserved family memories and values for generations to come.

Barbara is survived by her two daughters, Beth Brown and Nancy Fulp, her granddaughter, Kelly Brown Thompson and husband Stephen, great grandchildren Harper-James and Briggs, sisters Donna Furman and husband Wyndol, and Mary Nell Stringer and husband John, and brother, Bill Potter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband Buddy Fulp, her brother, Bob Potter, her son-in-law Steve Brown, and her parents.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted at Elkin Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2026. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 9 at Elkin Funeral Service. A private inurnment will be conducted later at the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Feed the Elks backpack program care of Elkin Presbyterian Church.