Rebecca Tulbert White Poplin of Statesville, N.C., died at her home on April 28, 2026, at the age of 87 following a long decline in her health. Energetic and always on the go until her later years, she faced several serious health challenges with an amazing attitude, did what she needed to do to get back on her feet, and kept going time and again.

Becky was born on October 12, 1938, at the Trivette Clinic, a rural hospital in northern Iredell County founded by her great uncle, Dr. William Trivette. She was the oldest child of Clyde and Willie Mae Sale Tulbert, and grew up on the family farm near Union Grove, the only daughter of the five children born over 21 years. She was the leader of the pack, with dual roles of big sister and “cool mom” for a quartet of younger brothers. (We have not forgotten her tiny green MG retrofitted with an air horn.) Her first child was born in 1960 when her youngest brother was 11 months old.

Becky graduated from Union Grove High School (Class of 1956) and Draughon’s Business College. Her small high school class of 35 remained a close-knit bunch throughout her life; she helped organize many class reunions and meal get-togethers as folks in the group began to retire. A highlight of her busy high school career was winning the statewide 4-H Dairy Foods Demonstration in partnership with neighbor and cousin Betty Jean Myers (now Miller), which led to a TV appearance with Betty Feezor on WBTV.

In 1958, Becky married Carl White. In 1962, the young couple purchased Beam Printing Company, a commercial printing company in Statesville that had been in business since 1923. When they decided to update the business identity a few years later, to maintain their alphabetical advantage in the Yellow Pages, Becky and Carl coined the portmanteau name of Bec-Car Printing Company.

The business was thriving when Carl died suddenly in June 1982. Becky was only 43 years old. She took charge and remained involved with running the business until selling the company in 2017.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Becky served as president of the Statesville Altrusa Club (twice), and president of the Statesville Republican Women, and she was a trustee of Mitchell Community College. She also volunteered her time with the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce, the Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA), and the Iredell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and she was a band parent for the Grenadier Marching Band of Statesville High School. Becky and Carl were actively involved with the now-defunct Race Street United Methodist Church, where they made many lifelong friends.

In 1989, Becky married Charles Poplin, a neighbor who had also been widowed at a young age. Charlie died in 2007.

Becky valued her series of getaway spots that started with the retired Statesville Motor Coach bus that she and Carl converted into a cabin in the woods near Love Valley (imagine hippie vibes of the 70s), followed by another close-by vacation home at Lake Norman (also a bit of a shanty). She got a little fancier with her beloved home at Harkers Island on the North Carolina coast that has been her second residence for over 25 years. Becky and Charlie enjoyed sharing their travels with friends and family – from Ocracoke surf fishing and family beach trips to the Outer Banks, to Lake Norman trips on their pontoon boat with the grandkids – they made many fond memories with those they loved.

Becky was the queen of birthday greetings long before anyone ever thought of Facebook. She did it the old-fashioned way, with a calendar and stamps, likely mailing thousands of birthday cards to family and friends over the years.

Rebecca Poplin is survived by her children (and their spouses), Delan White (Gina) of Statesville and Michelle Baggarley (Gary) of Olin; two stepsons, Ric Poplin (Donna) of Old Fort and Todd Poplin of Little River, S.C.; grandchildren, Lauren White Gibson (Steve) of Asheville, Jami Jarrell (Brandon) of Vale, Eryn Hagan (Brendan) of Holly Springs, Austin Baggarley (Brittani) of Statesville, Kaylan Baggarley (Issac Wilson) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kristian Poplin Cappelmann (Tripp) of Naples, Fla., Amanda Poplin Holt of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Chase Poplin of Little River, and Leeann Poplin of Myrtle Beach (and Sandi Poplin of Myrtle Beach, mother of Chase and Leeann); great-grandchildren, Miles Gibson, Teagan Gibson, Ayden Jarrell, Rylan Jarrell, Hadley Jarrell, Kai Hagan, Finley Hagan, Harker Baggarley, Bowen Baggarley, Lennon Holt, Charlotte Cappelmann, and Harlan Cappelmann. She is also survived by her youngest brother, Mark Tulbert (Rob Maddrey) of Raleigh, sisters-in-law Pamela Tulbert of Mooresville, Carol Tulbert of Union Grove, and Diane Tulbert of Hamptonville; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Willie Mae Tulbert; husbands, Carl White and Charlie Poplin; granddaughter Carli White; and brothers, William Tulbert, Stephen Tulbert, and Daniel Tulbert.

Becky’s family is deeply grateful to the team of caregivers who made it possible for her to stay in her own home, including DeeHaven, Marissa, Stephanie L., Stephanie P., Carla, Bertha, Susan, Amber, Betty, Annette, Brittani, Jan, Jennifer, Shirley, and Valissa. Many thanks to the staff of Carolina Caring for palliative and hospice care.

If you would like to make a gift in Becky’s memory, please consider donating to the Carolina Caring Foundation (www.carolinacaring.org/give/) or Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center (www.coresound.com).

A graveside service will be conducted at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville on Wednesday, May 6, at 3 p.m. with Hospice Chaplain Nikki Fitzpatrick and the Rev. John Phifer officiating, followed by a visitation with family and friends at Troutman Funeral Home (345 North Main Street, Troutman) from 5 to 7 p.m.

Arrangements for Becky Poplin are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.