Two-Time Trustee Barbara Whitton Dies at 88, Leaving A Lasting Mark On Lees-McRae College
Barbara Whitton, a longtime member of the Lees-McRae College Board of Trustees, died on Tuesday, Dec.23, at the age of 88 in Fort Myers, Florida.
Whitton was born January 29, 1937, in Gastonia, North Carolina.She moved wiht her first husband to Los Angeles in the early 1960s before returning to North Carolina in 1964. In the early 1970s,she launched a career as a court reporter and built a prominent court reporting service in Charlotte,a venture that earned her recognition as a leading woman entrepreneur in the state.
After selling the business and retiring, Whitton divided her time between Florida and the North Carolina High Country. She married Jim Whitton in 2010, eight years after the passing of her second husband, and continued to stay active in personal and philanthropic pursuits.
Whitton devoted years to Lees-McRae College, serving multiple terms on the Board of Trustees. During her tenure, she co-chaired a $30 million capital campaign aimed at strengthening academic programs and student success. The campaign underscored her belief that students are the college’s future and that Lees-McRae offers a unique value in north Carolina.
The campaign funded notable campus improvements, including the May School of Natural and Health Sciences, the Lauritsen Technical Theater and Design Studio, and the renovation of the Shelton Learning Commons, Hayes Auditorium, and two science laboratories. It also expanded endowed scholarships and enhanced the athletics transportation fleet.
Whitton played a key role in the college’s leadership search, serving on the committee that hired the institution’s 16th president.President Lee King later recalled that the committee’s blessing was secured after Whitton and others visited Florida for their approval, a moment King described as a profound endorsement.
Even after stepping down from the board in 2022, Whitton remained invested in the college’s welfare and progress. The on-campus meeting space Miller Commons honors her generous spirit, tireless work ethic, and steadfast commitment to excellence.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 9,at The Chapel at the Village Church at Shell Point in Fort Myers. In lieu of flowers, Whitton’s family invites donations to Hospice Care at Shell Point, Habitat for Humanity, or Eddy House of Reno, Nevada.
Key Facts
| Subject | Barbara Whitton |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | Tuesday,Dec. 23 (year not specified) |
| Age | 88 |
| Place | Fort Myers, Florida |
| Notable Roles | Longtime Lees-McRae College Trustee; Co-Chair of a $30M capital campaign; Hired the college’s 16th president |
| Career Highlight | Founded a major Charlotte court reporting service; named Woman Business Owner of the Year (1987) |
| Legacy on Campus | Miller Commons named in her honor; campaign funded May School of Natural and Health Sciences, Lauritsen Theatre and Design Studio, and renovations across facilities |
| Memorial Actions | Memorial service at Shell Point Chapel; donations to Hospice Care at Shell Point, Habitat for Humanity, or Eddy House |
Evergreen Outlook
Whitton’s story illustrates how targeted philanthropy can reshape a regional college’s trajectory.Her leadership demonstrates the power of aligning financial backing with student-centered programs, expanding facilities, scholarships, and strategic hires to secure a durable legacy in higher education.
Reader Engagement
What lessons from Whitton’s approach to governance and philanthropy resonate most with you? How should colleges balance fundraising with maintaining academic independence in today’s environment?
What campus project would you prioritize to honor a donor’s legacy—facilities upgrades, new academic programs, or student scholarships—and why?
Share your memories or reflections below to honor Barbara Whitton’s enduring impact on Lees-McRae College and it’s students.
Endnote: The family requests donations to the listed organizations in lieu of flowers.
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