Nola S Gatling

NOLA SUE (CRAIG) GATLING Nola Sue (Craig) Gatling went home to be with the Lord on February 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Windsor, North Carolina, she was the sixth of fifteen children born to the late Lewis and Katie Sue (Swain) Craig. Like many during that time, she moved north to be near family and settled down in Wilmington, Delaware where she raised four children with her former husband, Donnie Gatling. Nola was known for her unconditional love for family and friends. She lived a full life with so much to be proud of but her greatest joy was being Mom and Grandmom. Nola gave birth to four children whom she cherished deeply, and she extended that same love to many others by providing more than 30 years of childcare. She had a love for children, family, cooking, short walks, word search puzzles, soap operas, and an occasional music video. Everyone was welcomed into her home, always greeted with a warm heart and an even warmer hug. Her house was cozy—she kept it toasty—and no one ever left without enjoying a home‑cooked meal. She is survived by the love of her four children: William Wayne Burke (Lolita), Katie Lavie Burke, Donald Tyrone Gatling (Michelle), and Christopher Michael Gatling (April); along with 18 grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. She is also survived by the love of six sisters and two brothers: Thelma Brown of Virginia; Lewis Craig of Connecticut; James Craig of North Carolina; Catherine Cherry of Illinois; Elizabeth Oliver, Virginia McGill, Joann Craig, and Lois Craig of Connecticut. In‑laws: Sarah Simon, Sandra Conkey, Kathleen Shephard (Tyrone), Alice Watson (Bob), Rose Mary Vaughan, Russell Gatling (Cleo), and Carney Gatling (Jackie). She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Katie Sue (Swain) Craig; her late husband, William O. Burke; siblings Mary Craig of New York, Margaret Weaver, Joseph Craig, Otis Craig, and Florence Lockhart of Virginia; Shirley Rogers of Connecticut; sister‑in‑law Cathie Gatling of Delaware; and grandchildren Donald and Chertye Gatling.

Nola S Gatling

July 24, 1943 - February 11, 2026