WINDSOR, NC – Julia Poe Parker Credle, age 89, a native of northeastern North Carolina, departed life at Summer Breeze Assisted Living in Savannah, GA on Sunday, July 2, 2023. She was the daughter of J. Mayon and Mildred Poe Parker of Ahoskie, NC and the wife of Carroll Spencer Credle, Jr. of Windsor, NC.
She was a member of the Ahoskie High School class of 1952. After graduating from Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC, she embarked on a thirty-five-year teaching career with North Carolina Public Schools with most of her tenure spent serving elementary school students – primarily in fifth and sixth grade reading and language arts – in Bertie County (Windsor, NC). Julia was a forty-eight-year member of the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gama Society International having served a term as president over the years. In her late forties she returned to college, while teaching full-time, and achieved a Masters Degree as well as a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. At the end of her school teaching career, she enthusiastically entered the field of historic house interpretation serving as a docent at Historic Hope until 2018. Museum guests often noted the quality and exuberance of her tour presentation. Only her health decline at the age of 84 took her away from it.
She exemplified the positive and optimistic attributes of her profession. Julia taught her whole life as a classroom teacher, historic house docent, mother, and friend.
She married her high school sweetheart, Carroll Credle, in 1957 and they shared together fifty-two years, creating a home and raising two children for whom they were both proud. Throughout her life she gave her husband and children the unconditional love and support for which they depended. She was the rock of the family.
She was known to smile through troubles. She monitored from the wings allowing her husband to be Santa Claus in all his glory. Her favorite things were caring for her home – particularly her yard and the flowers that grew there, reading history and biography, and giving tours at Hope. She loved seeing former students who – as grown men and women – would ask her, “Mrs. Credle, do you remember me?” She always replied, “I sure do. Are you behaving yourself?” After her husband died in 2009, she reimagined her life and along with Betty Constable ran the roads for eight good years. In those later years, the Windsor community, particularly those at Hope and on the White Oak Road, kept an eye on her, allowing her to live independently in her home for as long as she could.
A health crisis in 2019 necessitated her move to Savannah, Georgia to be closer to her daughter.
Cherishing her memory are her sister Suzannah Parker Early of Apex, NC; sister-in-law Shirley Woodley Credle of Beaufort, SC; son Carroll S. Credle III of Chapel Hill, NC, daughter Jamie Credle and son-in-law Raleigh Marcell of Savannah, GA; nieces Katherine Parker-Low, Lyn Hardway, and Woodley Credle, nephews Joseph Parker, Herb Turner, and Joe Credle; dear friends Betty Constable and Charles Boyette of Windsor; and her dog, Nell. Special thanks to the staff at Summer Breeze for providing her with a home and excellent care during her years in Savannah.
A celebration of life will be held at Bunn’s Barbeque, 127 King Street, Windsor, NC, on Saturday, July 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. Friends, colleagues from Bertie County schools or Historic Hope and anyone who was taught by Julia or Carroll Credle is welcome to stop by and say Hello. Refreshments will be served. A private graveside interment at the Ahoskie Cemetery is planned. If friends and acquaintances wish to donate in Julia’s memory, it should be to a beloved charity which could include Historic Hope Foundation (132 Hope House Road, Windsor, NC 27983) or online by clicking here and the Bertie County Humane Society (217 County Farm Road, Windsor, NC 27983) or online by clicking here
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service of Ahoskie is assisting family with local arrangements and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.
Mrs. Credle was an awesome teacher and a genuine person. She will be missed by all.
Mrs Credle was my 6th grade teacher. She was the type of teacher that would help you understand what was being taught and she did one on one if that was what it took. I’ve thought about her over the years and I will never forget her. To her family I’m very sorry for your loss of this dear lady.
Julia was such a mentor for me and we could pick up a conversation at each time we talked about anything. I remember once I was quoting some from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow- and she said, it’s amazing isn’t it ? The weeping willow stands. I will always cherish her memory as I did your dads. She was the willow!!
Carroll, you may not remember me but we were in school together back in Ahoskie Methodist Church Kindergarten and the elementary school before I moved away. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I pray that you and your family are wrapped in the warm memories of such a wonderful person that your mom was. Blessing to you all.
Jamie and Family, Jamie you may not remember me. We went to our first years of school together. My maiden name was Elaine Evans. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. I pray that God guides you and blesses you with wonderful memories of your Mom. Jamie, this may be hard to believe, but I have often wondered how and where you were. Sorry to have found out in this way.
Jamie and Carroll, I am so sorry to learn off the loss of your sweet Mom. My prayers and condolences go out to both of you.
Jamie and family, please accept my most heartfelt condolences over the loss of your mom. May God continue to hold each of you closely in His love and bring you comfort.