Collene "Tootsie" Triplett

June 23, 1942 - September 26, 2020

Lenoir – Mrs. Collene “Tootsie” Triplett, age 78, went home to be with her heavenly Father on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Caldwell UNC Health. She was born in Caldwell County on June 23, 1942 to the late Ira and Frances Bolick Greene. Tootsie spent her entire work career at Broyhill Furniture Industries. She was a life-long member of Mulberry Baptist Church where she served as treasurer and played the piano for several years. Tootsie took great pride in being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her entire family was very dear to her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jimmy” Triplett; brothers, Fred Greene and Gene Greene; and sister, Pansy “Teenie” Greenlee. Tootsie is survived by her children, Tammy Swanson and husband, Gene; Jeff Triplett and wife, Beth; Jon Triplett and wife, Tara; sisters, Onabelle Bolick; Betty Rothrock and husband, Marion “Rock”; Rachel Thompson and husband, Charles; and Rosemary Philyaw and husband, Vannoy; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members. A celebration of Tootsie’s life will be held at Mulberry Baptist Church on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Bennett Helton, Pastor James Todd and Pastor Daren Smart officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 11:00 AM prior to the service in the fellowship hall. Please plan to practice social distancing and wear face masks. Memorials may be sent to Mulberry Baptist Church, 4831 Kirby Mtn. Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.