From a generation of Southern women most of whom were homemakers, Mrs. Dellinger was also a businesswoman of great acumen who worked alongside her husband, the late Robert Muriel Dellinger, in establishing and operating Dellinger’s Department Store. They founded the business in February 1959 and she remained active in the store’s operation until the 1990s, according to her son, former Newton mayor Robert Wayne Dellinger, who joined his parents in the family firm as a young man.
Five years ago Mrs. Dellinger moved from her residence on West J Street in Newton to Abernethy Laurels retirement community, where she died following one day’s serious illness.
In addition to her professional life, she was prominent in local church activities. A member of Newton First United Methodist Church since her marriage and move to the local community, she was a leader in the United Methodist Women organization and was notable as a supporter of all community worthy efforts and both local and international mission work by area congregations.
Funeral rites will be performed at First United Methodist Church on North Main Avenue at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2012 by the pastor, the Rev. David Greene, and the Rev. Fred Thompson. Interment will be at Eastview Cemetery in Newton.
The family will receive friends at the church Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour.
Surviving are her daughter, Nita Dellinger Fulbright of Cary; her son, Robert Wayne Dellinger and his wife, Jackie Holder Dellinger, of Newton; and a Norwegian native, Jon Birkeli, who lived with the Dellinger family in 1959 while he was an exchange student at Newton-Conover High School, and his wife, Kay Goble Birkeli, of LaGrange, GA. Also surviving are nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren, including the Birkeli family.
A native of Catawba, Mrs. Dellinger was born April 7, 1917, to the late Will Spencer and Olive Cline Spencer. She was a graduate of the former Catawba High School and, until her marriage, was a member of Catawba Methodist Church.
Her husband preceded her in death in 1962, as well as a sister, Lorene Spencer Dellinger, and four brothers, Guy Spencer, Craig Spencer, “Dub” Spencer and Joe Spencer.
Her church activities included membership in the former Susannah Wesley Sunday School class, the Little Bible Class, and Group Two (Circle Two) of the women’s organization.
A long-time friend, Louise Bowen Barkley of Newton, commented on both Mrs. Dellinger’s homemaking expertise and church dedication: “Her kitchen was constantly busy—a recipe for every occasion. Among her favorite ones were grated sweet potato pudding, creamed onions, peanut butter pie and persimmon pudding. Bereaved families welcomed her cakes, pies, casseroles of fruit, vegetables, pasta, and her home-made bread.”
Mrs. Barkley added, “If we were to build a statue of Willie it would show her in the church Fellowship Hall bending over a pot of chicken and dumplings for a meeting of the congregation. UMW members said if we had one more Willie the rest of us would sit and twiddle our thumbs.”
Her family has received condolences that include memories of Mrs. Dellinger’s devotion to her vocation as well as her church activities, including a reminiscence that the women’s Circle would meet for monthly 10 a.m. sessions to provide support for missions and Bible studies, hold a business period, a program, and a sale of kitchen products—but “no refreshments, no books to read and no lingering.” Mrs. Dellinger—who needed to be back at the family store by 11:05 so someone else could go to lunch—would then stand up “on the dot of 11, and we would finish in a hurry.”
The family has suggested memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 926, Newton NC 28658.
The Dellinger family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.
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