Obituary: Garland A. Loftin
Garland A. Loftin, 91, of Kinston passed away peacefully Monday, March 18, 2024, following declining health from Dementia at the home of his loving caregiver, Angela D. Garris.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Hazel Moore Loftin; three children, Debra L. Loftin (Terri), Laurie L. Moorhead (Kevin), and Gavin Loftin; three grandchildren, L. Wayne Cunningham (Debbie), Stephen L. Cunningham (Sarah), and Emerson T. Moorhead; six great-grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Garland was the youngest of nine born to Lila Pollock and Hugh Loftin and is preceded in death by all with the exception of his brother, Dalton H. Loftin (Judy) of Graham, NC. Garland was born in Pollocksville of Jones County but lived all his adult life in Lenoir County, working at DuPont in various positions that honed his skills as a mechanic. He served on the board and as President of the Lenoir County Association for Retarded Citizens and was actively involved with Neuse Enterprises. Throughout his life he worked in his church homes, serving as a deacon, a choir member, and Sunday School Superintendent at Grainger Baptist Church and then as a choir member, treasurer, and active member at Shady Grove Church.
Garland will always be remembered for his love of music. As a boy in his father’s store at the “crossroads” he taught himself to play the harmonica. Growing up in a musical family he also learned to play the piano as a child and later studied the violin in his retirement years. A young Garland sang baritone in the 1960’s award-winning Moose Lodge Barbershop Quartet as well as in his church choirs throughout his life. When not singing in a group setting or playing his violin or harmonica for others, he could always be heard humming or breaking out in song while he worked.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 10am at Shady Grove Church, 4375 Middle Road, Trenton, NC. Burial will be private.
Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
