Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 29, 2026

CHARLOTTE – Dorcas Merchant Regelbrugge, our beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026.  Dorcas was born to Garland and Rachel Merchant on November 25, 1945, in Danville, Virginia.  In 1958, she and her family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she had resided ever since.  Dorcas was a graduate of Myers Park High School and attended High Point University and Queens College.  She attended Central Church of God and was active in and a benefactor of a number of organizations in the Charlotte community during her lifetime.

Dorcas dedicated herself to raising her three children and was a lifelong caregiver for her family – first for her parents as they aged, and then for her husband of forty years, Roger, who endured a long battle with Parkison’s disease before he passed six years ago. She then turned her attention to doting on her grandchildren, whom she adored, and to reconnecting with special friends and relatives in the last years of her life.  Dorcas was fiercely loyal to those close to her, and her children’s and grandchildren’s greatest cheerleader. She approached each day with a kind and generous heart, and an unmistakable spunk that was evident to everyone she knew.

Dorcas is survived by her daughters, Christiane Regelbrugge Felts (Jason) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Lauren Regelbrugge Tunnell (Paul) of Atlanta, Georgia; her son, Roger R. Regelbrugge Jr. (Kate) of Charlotte, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Blair and Charlie Felts; and her two brothers, Gary Merchant and Frank Merchant (Jean), both of Charlotte, North Carolina, and their families.  She is also survived by her stepchildren, Anita Regelbrugge Saurer (Curt), Laurie Regelbrugge Phillips, and Craig J. Regelbrugge (Stewart), all of Montross, Virginia; Marc E. Regelbrugge (Trudy) of Folsom, California; and Jon C. Regelbrugge (Roberta) of Idyllwild, California; and their families.

In addition to her parents, Dorcas was preceded in death by her husband, Roger R. Regelbrugge; her stepson, Kurt J. Regelbrugge, and her son-in-law, Kevin Phillips. 

A private funeral service for Dorcas will be held at The Mary Help of Christians Basilica at Belmont Abbey College with The Right Reverend Abbot Placid Solari officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in memory of Dorcas to Holy Angels of Belmont, 6600 Wilkinson Blvd., PO Box 710, Belmont, NC 28012; 704-825-4161.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.