September 2, 2026, 98, Goldsboro – Lola Stephenson Delbridge died on Sept. 2, 2026. She was born to Leonard H. and Lola Peele Stephenson on their family farm in Pleasant Grove Township of Johnston County, NC. At an early age, she loved all creation and valued all the miracles and beauties of God’s handiwork. She graduated from old Cleveland High School where she was president and valedictorian of her class. Her education continued at East Carolina Teacher’s College (now ECU), where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. An honor graduate, she participated in numerous campus activities including serving as president of the Science Club. She was recognized as the outstanding woman student on campus at her graduation. She taught high school in Tarboro, NC, and Wilson, NC. At Charles L. Coon High School in Wilson, she met her husband, Matthew Gay Delbridge, a fellow biology teacher and they were married in 1952. Their first child was born in Fort Benning, GA. After his service in the army, her husband went to UNC School of Dentistry, and the couple had two more children. He graduated in 1960 and the family moved to Goldsboro, NC where he practiced dentistry for forty-seven years.
She was active in many groups and community organizations. She served as PTA president at Edgewood Elementary and at William Street School where she established its first Health Room. She was a district director of the North Carolina PTA and was awarded an honorary life membership. As a person committed to education, she was a member of Delta Kappa Gama sorority for over 50 years.
Active in the dental profession, she served as president of the 5th District Auxiliary and was president of the North Carolina Dental Auxiliary. She won the coveted Thelma Nuff Award at the National Dental Convention for her outstanding work in the Tenth District of the National Dental Auxiliary.
Mrs. Delbridge was an active member of First Baptist Church for 68 years. She was a Circle leader of the Woman’s Missionary Union, served on numerous committees, and was one of the three first women deacons. She was the chairperson of the 1979 Survey and Building Committee which oversaw the growth of the physical plant at First Baptist. She taught Sunbeams, a girls’ Sunday School class, a young married women’s class and for over 28 years, she taught a couples’ class. For several years she rearranged the Sunday flowers and delivered them to shut-ins and those who were sick. She presented the need for restoring the stained-glass windows, a project still in progress. Over the years, she decorated a basement Youth Room, offices for the staff, a prayer room, the ladies’ lounge, and baptismal rooms. She served as Church Historian for many years, led special historical celebrations, and established a Church History Room.
Her most prized activities were homemaking, family life, and family friendships. She was preceded in death by her parents, seven siblings, their spouses, and her husband of 68 years, Matthew Delbridge. She is survived by her children, The Rev. Catherine D. Hicks, (Ben) of Fredericksburg, VA, The Honorable Matthew Leonard Delbridge (Margaret) of Goldsboro, NC, and The Rev. Dr. Mary Lynnette Delbridge (Andrew Meckstroth), of Bethlehem, PA, seven granddaughters, one great-granddaughter, several beloved nieces and nephews, and many cherished friends.
A service to celebrate Lola’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church. Visitation will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. A private interment will take place at Willow Dale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to First Baptist Church of Goldsboro for the Stained Glass Window Fund, 125 South John St., Goldsboro, NC 27534.
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