Lorine Fitch Totten

     Lorine Elizabeth Fitch Totten passed away peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2024 surrounded by the love of her family. She was 86 years old.  

     Lorine was born on January 21, 1938 in the Anderson community of Caswell County. She was the daughter of Abner S. Fitch and Lizzie Mae Boswell Fitch.  As one of six children, Lorine was nurtured in a warm and loving family. She learned the value of hard work on the family farm, excelled in school and played high school basketball. Lorine’s lifelong love of learning was cultivated both at home and in school.  Her mother was an early inspiration, having taught briefly in a one-room schoolhouse.  After Lorine was asked to help with a class of fifth graders whose teacher was needed as a pianist for the Glee Club, she began to dream of becoming a teacher.

      Following graduation from Anderson High School in 1956, Lorine married Neal Banks Totten and began her family. When her children started school, she went to work at Burlington Industries.  She soon realized that this was not her calling and enrolled in Elon College.  In 1968, she graduated with a BA in Elementary Education and began her career with Caswell County Schools. Lorine later received a Master’s Degree in Education from UNC-Greensboro and a second Master’s Degree in School Administration from NC A&T State University.

      She worked in Education with Caswell County Schools for 32 years serving as a teacher for 20 years and as a principal / administrator for 12 years. During her career, Lorine was honored to be chosen as the Caswell County Teacher of the Year in 1976-1977 and again in 1985-86.  She retired from her “dream job” in May 2000, primarily due to the effects of Parkinson’s Disease which she fought valiantly with great strength and grace for 30 years.

      Lorine was a lifelong member of Bethel Christian Church where she served on the Board of Christian Education and as a Program Chairman of the Bethel Women’s Fellowship.  Always a teacher, she taught Sunday School for more than 45 years and also served as the Superintendent of the Sunday School Program.

      Lorine loved God, her family and friends, and being a teacher. She was beloved by all and positively influenced so many lives, especially those of her children.  Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Laverne Totten Vance (Jeff Vance) and Susan Totten (Robert Hensley) and daughter-in law, Tammy Womack. She is also survived by her grandchildren Dr. Stephen Vance (Jemma Vance), Kristin Williams (Kenny Williams), Megan Stanfield (Dillon Stanfield), Jonathan Drinkard, Daniel Feinglos (Emilie), Rebecca Feinglos and by four beautiful great-grandchildren with one on the way, including Travis and Nick Williams, Bridget and Madelyn Stanfield, and Baby Girl Vance due in May 2024.  Also surviving are her sisters Elsie Fitch and Shirley Moore (Jerry), brother-in-law John Richardson, and sister-in-law Faye Fitch, along with many cherished nieces and nephews.

     Lorine was predeceased by her parents, her brothers James and Eldridge, her sister, Frances Richardson, her husband of 59 years, Neal Bank Totten, her children Alton Lynn Totten and infant daughter Debra Elaine Totten, her grandson David Jeffrey Vance and son-in-law Dr. Mark Neil Feinglos.

      A time of visitation with the family will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 1:30 – 2:45 p.m. The funeral will be held following the visitation at 3:00 p.m. at Bethel Christian Church, with Rev. Caleb Hensley officiating.  The church is located in Caswell County at 595 Baynes Road, Burlington, NC 29217.

      Flowers may be sent to Lowe Funeral Home at 2205 South Church Street, Burlington, NC 27215.  Donations may be sent to Bethel Christian Church or to AuthoraCare Hospice at 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.  The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and our friends at Home Place of Burlington who helped to create such a warm and welcoming home for us all.  You may send condolences and sign the online registry at www.lowefuneralhome.com.