She retired in 2012 when she was the Joint Republican Caucus Leader and Senator representing the state's second district, including constituents in Carteret county.

[1] She was a retired educator from Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

[2] Preston was born on May 25, 1935,[3] in Snow Hill, North Carolina.

Her parents were Marvin Wayne Rouse and the former Emma Mae Kearney.

degree and in Business Education from East Carolina University in 1957.