Valencia L. Hutchins

DURHAM Ms. Valencia Lopez Hutchins, 81, of Durham, died on Friday, August 29, 2014, from complications due to surgery.
Ms. Hutchins was a native and lifelong resident of Durham, the daughter of the late Anthony Lopez, Sr. and Florence Violet Martin Lopez. She graduated from the Watts School of Nursing and was employed at Watts Hospital, McPherson Hospital and retired from the Duke Eye Center. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Valencia had a passion for helping others, which was evident in the care she showed toward her many patients and friends. Valencia loved her family dearly, especially her daughter, Gail to whom she was totally devoted. She enjoyed gardening and taking care of her many flowers. Her two cats Garfield and Sparky were her “babies”. To all whose lives were enriched by Valencia, she was an angel on earth and will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, Wayne Hutchins; beloved son, Chip Hutchins; brother, Salvadore Lopez and great-granddaughter, Kalyn Grace Clark.
She is survived by her daughter, Gail Clark and husband, Mark of Durham; brother, Anthony Lopez Jr. and wife, Linn; grandchildren, Kara Clark, Mark Clark, Jonathan Hutchins and Garrett Hutchins; great-grandchild, Carter Clark, “her little wiggle worm”; special nieces, Gloria Haywood, Tonya Page and Karen White and special nephews, Robin King and Carlos Lopez.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Jody Griffin and Rev. Mike Poole. Burial will be in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be James Robert “Robin” King, Carlos Lopez, Bobby Haywood, Mike White, Chris White and Bobby Woodside. Honorary pallbearers will be her lifelong nursing friends of Watts Hospital, McPherson Hospital and the Duke Eye Center.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home and other times at the home of her daughter.