Nola Long Kirkpatrick

Nola Doretha Long Kirkpatrick, affectionately known as Nosh or Noli, was born on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928, in Mint Hill, NC to the late Jessie Beamon Long and Myrtle Maxwell Long. She was the youngest of three girls. She peacefully joined her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 2, 2015. Nola was a 1944 graduate of Clear Creek High School (later known as J. H. Gunn High School), where she excelled academically and graduated at 16. After graduating in 1946 from Woods Morgan College of Beauty, she enjoyed a 35-year career as a licensed cosmetologist in the Charlotte area. Nola also pursued a second career as a Teacher Assistant in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system, and retired from Selwyn Elementary School after 20 years of service. Nola was a longtime member of St. Paul Presbyterian Church, where she served in many capacities, including on the Deacon Board and as a Choir member. Though for the last few years of her life, she was unable to attend services, she continued to carry love for her Church and fellow members in her heart. Flowers were a special joy for Nola and she often used them to beautify her home and planted them in her yard. She was especially fond of the poinsettias that bloom at Christmas, one of her favorite times of the year. Nola also loved many types of music and she shared this love with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At family gatherings, she was often heard saying, “Let’s sing!” The song “Stardust” was dedicated to her as a young woman and remained especially dear to her throughout her life. In addition to her parents, Nola was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Edna Long Rudisell and Helen Virginia Long Urquheart; one great grandson, Coleman Marcus Levon Leathers; two brothers-in-law, Louis Rudisell and Shermon Urquheart; and a loving nephew, Robert Wayne Long. Her memory will forever flow in the hearts of those who loved her; 3 daughters, Darwin Long Adams, Alice Carole Kirkpatrick and Myrtle Kirkpatrick Coaldwell (Hersy), all of Charlotte, NC; 6 grandchildren, Marva D. Adams, Torri K. Massey (Alonza), Tammi C. Leathers (Marcus), Lowell Kelly B. Coleman (Sylvia), Toni C. Holder and Carla C. Headley; 12 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, family members, friends, and a granddog, Rockafella Kirkpatrick, which she cherished. A special acknowledgement is made to her long time caregiver, Rosemary Griggs, and special family friends, Gwendolyn Orr and Roberta Johnson.