Jean Dula Fletcher

Fletcher, Jean Dula

November 10, 1930 - August 10, 2023

Jean Dula Fletcher, 92, of Scottsdale, AZ, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away Thursday, August 10 at the Vi at Grayhawk Assisted Living Facility.

Jean’s health had been steadily declining and recently she had been receiving palliative care from Hospice. Her family is especially grateful for the loving care that Jean received during this sad time.

Jean was born in Sanford, North Carolina in Lee County on November 10, 1930, to Beulah Bradley Dula and Clyde Harshaw Dula. Education was always a priority for Jean and in 1949 she entered Meredith College for Women in Raleigh, North Carolina. At Meredith she achieved a high academic record, was a two sport athlete in basketball and field hockey, and topped off her college experience by being elected Senior Class President. She graduated from Meredith in 1953 and soon was accepted to the Master’s Degree program at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. At that time there were few women in the Master’s program and against the odds she came through in flying colors and soon had her Master’s Degree.

With degrees from Southern and Meredith, both Baptist institutions of higher education, she was soon hired by Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina as one of its staff ministers specializing in religious education. While there she began many friendships that she has maintained over the years.

Later she taught English to 7th graders in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and then back in Durham. From the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s, she took a leave from work outside the home and focused on raising her children Jeff and Susan. Later she reentered the work force and became a successful real estate broker and agent. In 1991, she married the love of her life, James Floyd Fletcher. They were happily married for 15 years before Floyd passed away in 2006.

After Floyd’s death, Jean’s daughter, Susan persuaded her to move to Scottsdale to be close to her and her family. This proved to be both a wise and happy decision because it gave her security and brought her closer to her only two granddaughters, Sydney and Lily Leistiko and her son-in-law David Leistiko. While her son, Jeff (Jefferson Bradley Wright), still lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, she loved him dearly and he and Jean were in constant communication and saw each other as often as possible.

In addition to her children and Susan’s family, Jean is survived by her loving brother, Alfred Dula, many cousins, step children Barbara Fletcher, Betsy Barnett and Jim Fletcher, step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren.

Services will be held at Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina on Saturday, August 26, beginning with a visitation at 10:00 am, followed immediately by a memorial service celebrating Jean’s life and faith. A private graveside service for family will then follow at 2:30 PM at Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church, 238 Chalybeate Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.