Dahlia Pendergraft Tuttle

We announce the passing of Dahlia Tuttle (93) on April 23, 2026.

Born Dahlia Pendergraft in Portsmouth, Virginia, she was the daughter of George Washington Pendergraft and Dahlia Beale Pendergraft. She grew up alongside her beloved brother, George Washington Pendergraft Jr.

Dahlia spent her early life in the Portsmouth, Virginia area before later residing on Hatteras Island in Waves, North Carolina, and eventually making her home for the last 37 years in Aydlett, North Carolina.

She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1950, and later earned her bachelor’s degree in Art Studies from East Carolina University.

A gifted local artist and devoted educator, Dahlia shared her passion for creativity as an art teacher at Western Branch Middle School with Chesapeake Public Schools. 

She will be remembered as a vivacious woman filled with laughter, love, and a green thumb to rival Johnny Appleseed.

Dahlia also had a deep love of music and singing. She was an active member of the choir at Sharon United Methodist Church in Poplar Branch, North Carolina, where many will remember her rich and sonorous voice fondly.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Lynne Tuttle; granddaughters, Amanda Bales of New Market, Tennessee, and her husband Jason Bales, Kendra Martinez of Globe, Arizona; son-in-law Domingo Martinez of Globe, Arizona; great-grandchildren, Peyton and Brooklyn Bales; and cousins, Ron McCants (his wife Laura) and Carole Platt.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Dahlia Pendergraft, her brother, George Pendergraft Jr., and her loving daughter, Sabrina Tuttle. 

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful and compassionate staff of Laurel Park in Elizabeth City for the loving care, kindness, and support they provided to Dahlia during her final days. Their dedication and tenderness brought comfort not only to her, but to all who loved her.

In the end, Dahlia’s warmth, talent, and joyful spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life Service will be announced at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dahlia Pendergraft Tuttle, please visit our floral store.