WILMINGTON — Elizabeth Mauldin Fulenwider, 96, passed away on August 14, 2026 in her home at Porter‘s Neck Village in Wilmington, North Carolina where she had lived for the past ten years. Born in Boston, she was the fourth of Dorothy and Robert Mauldin’s five children.
Betty lived her life according to her faith and its values. She prioritized love above all. She will be remembered for her graciousness, gracefulness, love and inclusiveness. Throughout her life, she avidly embraced the virtue of Christian hospitality. She greeted everyone the same with genuine warmth and kindness, making those around her feel loved, cared for, and deeply appreciated. She strived to create a community wherever she was by connecting people to one another and making them feel at home.
Her early life was based in Charlotte, NC, where she attended grade school through high school and graduated from Queens College. She met her husband, George O. Fulenwider, Jr. in Charlotte and they were married at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in 1952. In 1968, George’s work moved the family that had now grown to six to Wilmington. Their last child was born in Wilmington and is a true “Wilmingtonian.” It was Wilmington where they got “sand in their shoes” and never left. Instead, they found themselves involved in their children’s activities, community initiatives and made Wilmington home. After George died in 1989, Betty stayed in the home where they raised their family and enjoyed having family and friends visit. She was regarded as the unofficial mayor of Grace Street.
Betty took great joy in raising her five children and supporting their activities as they grew. She was active in PTA and other educational endeavors throughout her child rearing years but went back to teaching as her children grew and left home. She was an elementary educator for 40 years and took great pleasure in having former students recognize her and speak to her. As a 55 year member of First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, she held many positions including serving as a deacon. Her Presbyterian Women Honorary Life Membership Award was of special significance to her. She was active in her church circle up until her death. An interest in preservation led to an appointment with the Historic Preservation Society that worked to preserve many of the older homes and neighborhoods of Wilmington. She served as a Girl Scout leader, a sports team mom and worked to improve the educational systems for teachers and students. Other interests included knitting, sewing handwork, and gardening.
Betty was predeceased by her parents and her 4 siblings, as well as her husband, George O. Fulenwider, Jr. and her oldest child Elizabeth Fulenwider Tharrington (Betsy).
She is survived by four children, Cissi Lyles and her husband Steedman of Davidson, NC; Geoff Fulenwider and his wife Nancy of Bear Creek, NC; Mary Ann Long and her husband Richard of Wilmington, NC; and Marlea Akins and her husband Jeff of Huntersville, NC; and son-in-law Josh Tharrington of Raleigh, NC; eleven grandchildren, JS Lyles (Michael Annabelle), Betsy Lyles Swetenburg (Owen), George Lyles (Barclay), Geoffrey Fulenwider (Serena), Elizabeth Ann Fulenwider Haun (John), Catherine Fulenwider Claude (Chris), Sarah Long Smith (Marty), Nick Long (Caitlin), Cody Long, EJ Akins, Lane Akins; 17 great- grandchildren along with two god children and many nieces, nephews. There are many friends she counted as family.
The family would like to thank the people who have helped sustain her throughout recent years, they are too numerous to name. The staff of Porter’s Neck Village and Hospice along with her physical therapist, Greg Lew, get special mention.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Pastor’s Fund at First Presbyterian Church.
