Margaret Fulbright Bleynat

Mrs. Margaret Fulbright Bleynat, 100, of Valdese, went to her Heavenly Home, on Sunday October 12, 2025, at The Berkeley in Morganton, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Bleynat was born June 23, 1925, in Icard NC, a daughter of the late McKinley and Ethel Brindle Fulbright. She attended First Baptist Church of Icard where she served as a GA leader. After moving to Valdese She attended the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, becoming an active member, teaching Sunday School, active in the Women of the Church with a lifetime membership, a youth worker, the after school programs and many other church programs. She served as a Deacon and Elder and was presented with the Woman of the Church Award. Margaret had a love of cooking, gardening, sewing and serving as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. In her spare time Margaret volunteered as a Pink Lady for many years at Valdese General Hospital and as a greeter at the Waldensian Trail of Faith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, John Bleynat and brother, James Fulbright.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, John F. “Pete” Bleynat and wife Trish of Charlotte, N.C. Also surviving are the apples of her eye, her grandchildren, Kristina Shableski and husband David of Boone, Andy Fortenbery of Charlotte and John Fortenbery and wife Julie of Sunderland, MD, and six great-grandchildren, Connor Addison, Ella and Beckham Fortenbery and Jake and Kate Shableski, sisters-in-law, Meredith Bleynat of Asheville, Wilma Jones of Valdese and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins in Burke County and surrounding area.

A Celebration of Life for Margaret Fulbright Bleynat will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday October 16, 2025, in the Waldensian Presbyterian Church with Rev. Matt Matthews and Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews officiating. A private Graveside Service will be held in the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends following the church service, in the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Pioneer Hall.

An online obituary and guestbook is available www.heritagefuneralservices.com.