Vera Barkley Felton, 93, of Kinston, NC, left this earthly realm on February 5th, 2022, after 6 months of declining health. A kindhearted gentle soul, Vera was a beloved mother, devoted wife and cherished friend to all who were blessed to know her.
A mausoleum graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Pinelawn Memorial Park. The family will receive family and friends at Mrs. Felton’s home on Hardee Road in Kinston, NC.
Her health issues were not Covid related. For years she had been having trouble with her back, and during the summer of 2021 the nervous system connection between her back and legs reached a tipping point, and her mobility was affected.Although she had some ongoing heart issues and a few other health concerns, they were being managed. However with the loss of mobility, her other issues became more complex.
Vera lived a full life and was quite adventurous in her younger days. She was an equestrian from the age of 5, and when she got older she would ride her horse Dan into town to the soda shop and to meet with friends.
Another adventure she enjoyed was the cross-country trip she made with her mother Pearl Barkley and her cousin Harold from the Carolinas all the way to California in 1947. She would vividly recall details of that trip her whole life; she particularly enjoyed seeing Old Faithful and their visit to Yellowstone National Park. After her trip to California, she met and became engaged to Charles P. Felton and they married in 1950.
She was born in Enfield, NC and was part of a large farming family. She was the youngest of 5 children, and in her teens the family decided to move their farming operations to an estate in Waverly, Virginia.
Vera graduated from Waverly High School, in Waverly, VA and she attended Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College).
Vera often recounted her fond memories of growing up as a country girl, such as her love of all the cows on the farm, and the many other animals there, including the time she raised a pet Fox she had found as a cub. Her love of animals continued through her life, and she cared for many stray or injured animals, including birds, rabbits and squirrels that she rehabilitated.
Her love of German Shepherds was also a lifelong passion, with many beautiful dogs along the way, including Roxy, her most recent loyal companion.
She and her family in Kinston also had many nice cats and mixed breed dogs over the years, with both family dogs Chocky and April living more than 20 years, credited to all the good food and leftovers they got from her delicious meals.
Speaking of her cooking skills, Vera perfected sublime southern meals daily, with her talent for food preparation delighting family and friends, as well as the many folks at First Baptist Church in Kinston on Wednesday evenings, during the many years she and her family were members there.
One of her specialties was fresh vine-grown butterbeans in the summer, as she planted and grew butterbeans, tomatoes and many other vegetables yearly throughout her life.
And even something as simple as a grilled bacon, cheese and tomato sandwich, if it was made by Vera, was elevated to a whole other level, due to the care and love she put into each and everything she cooked.
Oh, and her homemade biscuits, they were like no other biscuit on the planet that we know of. She had a special technique, which has of course been passed down to her children, that made not only your palate pleased, but also touched your soul, especially if you had the biscuits along with the butterbeans.
Another favorite was her unique broccoli casserole, which her son Patrick has finally perfected to make just like his mom, after years of learning from her.
She loved all kinds of flowers and plants as well, and won many awards in the Garden Club in years past, plus many first place ribbons for flower arranging. Her front yard reflected this passion for beauty as well, with every year bringing a new assortment of flowers and plants, in addition to perennials and an interesting variety of trees.
Vera was the daughter of Clifton Ferguson and Pearl Braswell Barkley.
Vera is survived by her daughter Connie J. Felton of Greensboro, NC, her son C. Patrick Felton III and his wife Susan of Fort Mill, SC, sister-in-law Angela Felton of Chesapeake, VA, sister-in-law Maebelle Barkley of Rocky Mount, NC, along with many beloved nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Charles P. Felton Jr.; her daughter Cynthia Felton Herring, brothers Ferdie Barkley of Enfield, NC and Victor Barkley of San Antonio, TX, sisters Marion Luper of Rocky Mount, NC and Gwendolyn Wilson of Wilson, NC.
The family also wishes to express their gratitude to Nancy Crumbacker of Kinston, NC and Linda Thompson of Greenville, NC, for their faithful friendship and their help in caring for Vera.
From her children Patrick & Connie, we are so grateful that Mama’s independent style and attitude, her wisdom and wit, her love of beauty and animals, and her kindhearted spirit toward everyone she met will be with us always.
Her life was truly well-lived, and we celebrate the many years she provided us with so much joy, peace and love. We are so fortunate that we were blessed with such a kind and loving mother, and her spirit will be in our hearts always. We know that along with our father, they are smiling down upon us from the heavens and will continue to guide us as we progress and enjoy our lives on earth.
For their unwavering support and love through this time, and for their many years of friendship, Patrick wishes to thank his lifelong brothers from another mother, Bruce Hardman of Cocoa Beach, Florida, Scott Stroud of Jupiter, Florida (and Pink Hill, NC, depending on which day you ask him) & Freddy Cox of Atlanta, GA. Their kindness and thoughtfulness have been very helpful and comforting. In addition, Patrick wholeheartedly thanks his longtime friends Nathan & Debra Couch of Chatham County, NC for their love and generosity during this time, and throughout the years.
Connie would also like to thank all her friends for their love and ongoing support during this time.