Dr. Doris Banner, Founding Editor and Researcher for the First Gardner-Webb Faculty Emeriti Publication, Passed Away on March 19

A Gardner-Webb Alumna, Banner was an Educator for Over Four Decades

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Doris Banner, an educator for over four decades, including more than 30 years at Gardner-Webb University, passed away March 19, 2025 in Rising Star, Texas. Banner was the founding editor and research director for the inaugural GWU Faculty Emeriti publication. She was also named to the University’s Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2003.

The second edition of the Faculty Emeriti book is dedicated to Banner, with a note: “Gardner-Webb University is deeply indebted to Dr. Doris Banner for originating the idea of a faculty emeriti book and for having its genesis in her Fall 1993 graduate class on educational leadership. Each student in that class submitted one biographical sketch for the first edition of 1994. Other sketches were written by faculty, staff and friends of the University.

A native of Webster, N.C. in Jackson County, Banner chose to attend Gardner-Webb in 1954, when it was a junior college. She completed her teaching degree at Appalachian State University and also earned her master’s degree and later her Educational Specialist Degree from there. She continued her studies through the UNC-Greensboro until she received her Doctorate of Education.

She began her professional academic career in 1954 teaching high school mathematics and physics in Charlotte, N.C., followed by stints of teaching biology and chemistry in North Carolina and Florida high schools. In between her high school teaching experiences, she taught mathematics and physics (1970-1976) at Gardner-Webb University as an assistant professor. She served for eight years as the evening coordinator of the learning laboratory for adult students at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, N.C. Just prior to returning to Gardner-Webb in 1992, Banner served as instructional specialist for the Southwest Technical Assistance Center of the State Department of Public Instruction.

Banner completed extensive writing over the years in generating curriculum materials, especially for mathematics and teacher education. Even after she retired from Gardner-Webb, her interests continued in research, methods and models of teaching and evaluation.

After retiring from Gardner-Webb, Banner moved to the Wakefield Plantation of Wake County to be near her daughter and family, who then lived in Youngsville, N.C. When her daughter and son-in-law retired, they relocated to Cisco, Texas in 2021. In 2022, Banner joined them and became a Texan.

She is survived by her daughter, Terri-Lynne, and husband, Jason Poppe, of Cisco; two granddaughters; four great grandchildren; her sister, Sue Vance Wilson, and nieces and nephews.

She was a member of Greenway Baptist Church in Boone, N.C., where her services will be held on April 26 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Greenway Baptist Church, 880 Greenway Road, Boone, NC 28607 or to Gardner-Webb University, 110 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 997, Boiling Springs, N.C. 28017.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.