Noel Clare Heflin Ulmer

Noel Clare Heflin Ulmer, 83, of Mount Pleasant, NC, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family. Known throughout her life as Clare, she will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Iatt Baptist Church in Atlanta, Louisiana, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Clare was born March 15, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Josephine Ruby Vaughan Heflin and Clarence Elmer Heflin, Jr. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Warren Thomas "Buck" Ulmer.

She is survived by her four children, Dana Lynn Ulmer Hilfirty and husband, John, of Mount Pleasant, NC; Warren Scott Ulmer and wife, Erna, of Geiselwind, Germany; Stacie Ann Ulmer Edmiston and husband, Cecil, of Fort Worth, TX; and Susan Irene Ulmer Martin and husband, James, of Brownstown, IN; her sister, Sallie Kelly and husband, Gene, of Doyline, LA; grandchildren, Dalton Hilfirty and wife, Sam, of Portland, OR, Devin Hilfirty of Flora, IL, Sabrina Ulmer of Geiselwind, Germany, Taylor Houston of Belmont, NC, and Sydne Edmiston of Dallas, TX; step-grandson, Logan Martin and wife, Emma, of Seymour, IN; step-great-grandson, Adrian Martin of Seymour, IN; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Clare was a graduate of C. E. Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, and later attended business school. Throughout much of her working life, she held administrative positions, including work in the medical field. She later worked in shipping and receiving at a Walmart Distribution Center before retiring.

Those who knew Clare will remember a woman who genuinely loved people. She was social, outgoing, kind and giving, and she was happiest when she could be involved with the people around her. Her faith and church family were an important part of her life. While living in Louisiana, she was active at First Baptist Church of Opelousas, participating in Sunday school, ladies' groups, Bible studies and church activities.

Clare was wonderfully creative and always seemed to have something she was making, sewing or decorating. She enjoyed sewing and made everything from curtains and window treatments to tablecloths and decorations. She loved floral arranging and particularly enjoyed helping with church decorating committees. Music was also an important part of Clare's life, and she was very involved with the choir. She participated in choir productions and musicals and often put her sewing and creative talents to work helping with costumes. In her younger years, Clare was also an avid bowler and a member of a bowling league, regularly averaging scores in the high 200s. She was an avid reader as well and always enjoyed staying busy.

The kitchen held many special memories for Clare and her family. She loved cooking, collecting and exchanging recipes, and some of the family's most treasured recipes remain in her own handwriting, worn from years of use. She had a special love for desserts and a definite sweet tooth, a trait lovingly carried on by her family. Alongside Buck, she also enjoyed gardening and canning the vegetables they grew, filling shelves with the fruits of their work-including plenty of Buck's sweet pickles.

Perhaps nothing brought out Clare's tender heart more than children and babies. She adored little ones and could hardly resist stopping to smile, speak or visit with a baby wherever she happened to be. That same nurturing spirit remained with her even as her own needs increased. At Coltrane LIFE Center, Clare affectionately thought of the other participants as "her kids" and, whenever she was able, wanted to help-whether folding towels, lending a hand or simply spending time with others.

Family remained at the center of Clare's life. One particularly meaningful gift came recently when members of the extended family gathered together in Louisiana. Despite the challenges she was facing, Clare traveled beautifully and delighted in being surrounded by the people she loved. She was able to listen to the familiar voices, laughter and stories of family gathered together once again. It became a treasured memory for those who shared it with her.

Clare will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, her love of conversation, her willingness to help, and the joy she found simply in being among people. Her family will especially remember the countless ordinary things that made her uniquely Clare-the handwritten recipes, sewing projects, gardens, desserts, church gatherings, her affection for babies and, above all, the love she shared so freely with those around her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Coltrane LIFE Center, 321 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, NC 28025, or the Alzheimer's Association .