Della Mae Payne Pulliam died on August 2, 2022, at Salemtowne Retirement Community where she lived for 20 years enjoying activities with her friends, both staff and residents. She was born on September 22, 1924, in the Octagon House in Lake Landing, North Carolina, to William Wallace Payne and Annie Gray Weston Payne. Della enjoyed a happy childhood, centered around her church and family, Life in a farming community included crabbing in the canals and harvesting oysters with her daddy. Her basketball team at Engelhard High School, where she played guard and won the state championship two years. She graduated Valedictorian, and soon left for Charlotte to attend Geyer Business School. Della met Charles Smith Pulliam at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where they worked together as youth leaders with the Young People’s Service League. They were married on November 19, 1950, there, and enjoyed 53 years together. Della was preceded in death by a brother, Durward Payne, a sister, Ann Lancaster, and a daughter, Alice. She is survived by two daughters, Linda Muir of New Bern, and Lillis Ward (Joe) of Raleigh, and four grandsons, Matthew Ward (Jenny) of Tulsa, OK, Robert Muir of Reston, VA, Daniel Ward of Raleigh, William Muir (Mary Catherine), of San Antonio, TX, and three great-grandchildren: Charlie Ward and Elliott Ward of Tulsa, and Clara Muir of San Antonio. Della will forever be remembered for the many young lives she influenced as a Girl Scout leader and trainer, as well as her contributions to Thompson Children’s Home in Charlotte. She served on their boards for many years and worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Active in her churches, Della was always busy doing what she so enjoyed: being a choir mother, arranging altar flowers from her yard, and baking Communion bread. Della was the ultimate homemaker. Gathering around her table was always a treat for the girls’ friends and later the sons-in-law and grandchildren. Fresh flowers always adorned the table! The girls’ clothes, prom dresses and wedding dresses were handmade by Della. No tribute to Della would be complete without mentioning her love of flowers, gardening, and camping with her family. She was a member of Pfafftown Garden Club, a Lifetime Member of the NC Garden Club, and worked at the Dixie Classics Fair Flower Competition for many happy years. A reception will be held at Salemtowne on Friday, August 5th from 2 to 4 PM. A family graveside service will be held later at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Engelhard. Della’s daughters want to thank the staff of Salemtowne and Trellis Supportive Care who took such loving care of her. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated for Salemtowne Employee Appreciation Fund (190 Moravian Way Dr. Winston Salem NC 27106) or St. Paul’s Senior Adult Ministry (520 Summit St. Winston Salem NC 27101).