Lenoria Stallings Mercer transitioned from this life on November 20, 2008 in Durham, North Carolina after a long illness. After prayers, scripture readings and reflections during the last visit with family, friends, and caretakers, she peacefully slept for another two days before God said it was time for her to go. She was born in Halifax County, North Carolina on February 23, 1945 to the late Horace Stallings, Sr. and Roberta Crawley Stallings. She was the eldest of three children born of this union. Lenoria received her education in Nash County and graduated from Swift Creek High School in Whitakers, N.C. At an early age she was baptized and became a member of Union Hill Baptist Church in Nashville, N.C.

Lenoria held many different types of jobs, sometimes two at once. Some of the cities she resided and worked in were Rocky Mount, New York City, Durham and Enfield. While living in Connecticut she was employed by the Federal Government as a secretary at the VA Medical Center. Being a person who loved to seek different things in life, she moved around quite a bit but had the ability to find jobs in all different capacities ranging from waitressing to secretarial to domestic work and she was good at all of them. She had the guts to quit a job today, if she so chose, but had the ability and charisma to find another one before the week ended. Her skills were varied and her abilities were vast. She was forever young at heart. Her grandchildren affectionately referred to her as their 'disco granny'. She was also known as 'Lee' and 'Nora' by family and friends.

Lenoria was an adventurous and outgoing person, even at an early age. Her greatest joy was following her Father around and learning everything she could from him. She could do almost anything he could do. He loved having someone he could teach all the things he liked to do. She loved the outdoors and always wanted to have something exciting to do or someplace to go. Anything else was boring to her. Long before she was old enough to get a license she enjoyed driving and would drive any vehicle (including 18 wheelers) anywhere without hesitation. She even raced cars. She traveled by bus and train a lot also. At one point, she rode the trains so much that we teased her about owning stock in Amtrak. Many times she grew very impatient when people around her lacked the energy to 'get up and do something'. One other favorite was playing cards. Friends and family can attest to the fact that she probably held a world's record for playing cards nonstop. Her greatest asset was the energy she exalted. After her adventures she returned to Enfield and was with her Father and later on her companion, Cornelius (Ray) Johnson. Later, after her life began to decline she would reminisce to everyone about the good old days and what she 'used to do'.

Lenoria was the Mother of two children. She was formerly married to James Mercer which one child was born of this union; Jennifer Mercer Whitaker (David) of Durham, NC. The eldest daughter is Joanne Stallings Dooley (Bryant) of Baltimore, MD. Lenoria has four grandchildren; Takela, Anthony, Jamal and just recently deceased, Parris Richardson and one great granddaughter, Alasjia. She also leaves to mourn two siblings; Velma S. Williams-Estes (Earl) of Meriden, Connecticut and Horace Stallings, Jr. (Shirley) of Tarboro, NC. Lenoria leaves one aunt, Lula Mae Saunders of Baltimore, MD, one niece, Deborah Ann Williams of CT, two nephews, Cory Howington (Danielle) of Rocky Mount, NC and Jamal Burnette of NC, two step-nephews, Reco and Derrick Metri Andrews of NC, one great niece, two step-great nieces, two great nephews, one step-great nephew and a host of other relatives and friends.

We extend our most heartfelt thanks to the staff of Britthaven Nursing Home of Enfield, Nash General Hospital of Rocky Mount, Pettigrew Healthcare & Rehab. Center and Heartland Hospice Care of Durham, NC. The family also wishes to acknowledge and thank each of the following people who directly assisted in Lenoria's care along with their staff: Dr. Mohamed Dauda, (primary care) and Dr. Robert Vire, (surgeon at Nash General Hosp). Dr. William Lorimer and Dana Whitted, RN (of Pettigrew) Nikki Webb, MSW, Brandi Rowe, RN and Arvyette Patterson, Chaplin of Heartland Hospice. We do thank and are grateful to the staff here at Lea & Pope Funeral Home for their kindness and services at our time of bereavement.

Memorial service will be Sunday 2PM at Lea & Pope Funeral Home