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Dr. Launita "Lonnie" June Eye Proctor
Dr. Launita "Lonnie" June Eye Proctor, age 85, died November 16, 2014 at Carillon Assisted Living.  Born on June 12, 1929 in Rantoul, KS, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Boyd Franklin Eye and Mary Jane Sutton Eye.  Lonnie received a B.S. from Oklahoma Baptist University, an M.R.E. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, an M.E. from Texas Christian University, an Ed.S. from Appalachian State University and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University.  Lonnie was a Professor of Health and Physical Education at Gardner-Webb University for 24 years. She also taught at North Greenville Junior College for 3 years and in public schools for 10 years.  She was a member of First Baptist Church of Shelby where she served as the Sunday School Teacher of the Young Women's Class for 21 years.  She also was a Bible teacher for three Women's Missionary Union groups and at Carillon Assisted Living.

 

She was a member of many professional organizations including the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Dance; the North Carolina Association for Health, Physical Education, and Dance; the National Safety Council; the American Red Cross; Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; Alpha Epsilon Chapter (where she served as President); Eta State (North Carolina) (where she served as the Chairperson of the World Fellowship State Committee, Region X Regional Director and a member of the Personnel Committee) and Phi Delta Kappa.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and wife of 59 years. In addition to her parents, Lonnie is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Dan W. Proctor, a daughter, Dr. Mary Hendrix and a brother, Byron "Pete" Eye.

 

Lonnie organized the Cleveland County Special Olympics Program in 1972 and administered it for 21 years.  The program was selected as the Best Local Special Olympics Program in NC in 1980 and 1992.  In Cleveland County, she served on the Boards of Directors of The James Home, CODAP, Red Cross and Council on Aging/Sr. Center.  She participated in the American Red Cross' Pheresis Program and certified Staff/Teachers at North Shelby School in CPR and First Aid for years.  She served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Senior Games 2000-2002 and as an Ambassador for the Senior Games program.

 

She participated in the North Carolina Senior Games 1984-2007 earning over 500 gold, silver, and bronze medals and holding eight state records.  She participated in the United States Senior Olympics in 1987, 1989, 1991, 1995 and 1997, earning 5 gold, 8 silver and 4 bronze medals.  She was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal concerning her involvement in Senior Olympics.

 

She received various professional and community honors including Delta Kappa Gamma's Gilbert-McNairy Scholarship, 1979, the Jefferson Award, 1989, NC's Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 1992, the Governor's Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteer Work, 1995, Grand Marshall of the Shelby Christmas Parade, 1991, Loaned Executive Team Award of the United Way of Cleveland County, 1992, Hospice of Cleveland County's New Volunteer of the Year Award, 1993, North Shelby School's Dedicated Service Award, 1988, Malcolm E. Brown Award, 1992, Western District of Civitan International's "Citizen of the Year," 1988-89, Cleveland County Fellowship of Christian Atheletes' Hall of Fame, 1992, Gardner-Webb University's "Teacher of the Year," 1976-77 and Faculty Merit Award, the American Red Cross' Lifetime Blood Donor Pin (32 gallons), the American Red Cross' Health and Safety Award, 1996, the American Red Cross' Senior Citizen's Award, 1998, Cleveland County Mental Health Association's Distinguished Service Award, 1979, World Who's Who of Women in Education, 1977, International Who's Who in Community Service, 1978, Delta Sigma Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi's "First Lady of the Year," 1981, Shelby Civitan Club's "Citizen of the Year," 1981, Shelby Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds, 1979, Cleveland County's "Woman of the Year," 1991, Cleveland County Commission for Women, Distinguished Woman Award, 1996 and the Mayoral Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008.

 

Lonnie is survived by two sons, Dr. Stephen Proctor and wife Dr. Rita Smith of Concord and Daniel Proctor and wife Kim of Shelby; a daughter, Rebecca Greene and husband Colonel John Greene of Milford, PA; a brother, Frank Eye of Lake Park, GA; a son-in-law, Chris Hendrix of Mocksville; seven grandchildren, Eric Proctor and wife Hannah, Margaret Hendrix Foster and husband Derrick, Rebecca Hendrix, William Greene and wife Valerie, Zachary Proctor, Autumn Proctor, and Andrew Greene; and a great granddaughter, Mary Hannah Proctor.

 

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 2:00 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Shelby, NC with Rev. Perry Holleman. The family will receive friends after the service. Burial will be at Wellsville Cemetery in Kansas.

 

Memorials can be made to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or First Baptist Church, 120 N Lafayette St, Shelby, NC 28150.

 

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Dr. Proctor.


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