Lois Byrum Bullock

Obituary for Lois Byrum Bullock
Lois Byrum Bullock, age 86, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2017 after a brave and valiant fight with pancreatic cancer. Her loving family and caregivers kept vigil by her bedside, surrounding her with love. We released her hand, as she let go, and she walked into the arms of Jesus, just as her beloved husband Sherwood Thornton Bullock had done ten months earlier on September 25, 2016. Lois and Sherwood shared 68 years of marriage before his death.

Born in Greenville, NC on May 15, 1931, Lois was the daughter of the late Ernest Raymond Byrum, who died when Lois was ten years old, and Leona Doughty Byrum Tripp. She was the granddaughter of the late Janie Bell Doughty and Herbert Bradford Doughty. She was preceded in death by her precious daughter, Yvonne Bullock Joyner; her brothers, Ernest Raymond “ER” Byrum, Jr.; Vernon Bradford Byrum; her sisters, Mildred Byrum Whitmus; Marjorie Byrum Hardee; and by her step-father, Joseph William Tripp.

Lois is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Deborah Bullock Burnette and loving and devoted son-in-law, whom she called son, Kenneth Herman Burnette of Rocky Mount; her precious granddaughter and grandson, Elizabeth Ashton Burnette of Raleigh and Mark Bradford Burnette of Charleston, SC. Lois is also survived by her loving sisters, Doris Byrum Spivey of Wilmington, NC; Ernestine “Tina” Byrum Shackleford of Virginia Beach, VA; her dear brother and special sister-in-law, Daniel Webster Byrum and Elizabeth Hudnell Byrum; her sister-in-law, Evelyn Bullock Boyd of Greenville, NC; many loving nieces and nephews who were so special to her; and by dear family friend, Christine Godwin.

Lois spent her early life in Greenville, NC where she met and married Sherwood. She was a devoted wife and mother who was an excellent cook. She was active in Deborah and Yvonne’s school activities, was always the “grade mother” for them both, was their Brownie and Girl Scout leader, assisted with their dance recitals, organized neighborhood picnics and birthday parties, always baking her famous Devil’s Food cakes. Most importantly, Lois took her girls to Sunday school and church every Sunday. Lois was a Godly mother who instilled a strong base of faith in her family. Both grandchildren have loving memories of their grandmother praying bedtime prayers with them.

In 1966, Lois and Sherwood moved to Rocky Mount, NC when Sherwood transferred from the Greenville, NC office of Coastal Plain Life Insurance Company to the company’s home office in Rocky Mount. When Sherwood retired from the insurance business, Sherwood and Lois owned and operated several mobile home parks and Lois served as Secretary/Treasurer.

During the Big Band era, Lois and Sherwood became amateur ballroom dancers. They were invited to dance the Viennese-Waltz with the professional dancers at the Vienna Waltz Ball in Vienna, Austria, dancing to the music of Johann Strauss’ Blue Danube. Lois and Sherwood danced the Tango at the Normandy Supper Club in Mexico City; the Rumba at the Las Brisas in Acapulco; and the Lindy Hop at the Paladium in London. Sadly, after the death of their dear daughter, Yvonne, Lois and Sherwood never danced again.

Lois’ life revolved around her family and her church, Living Faith Fellowship where she participated in all aspects of church life. As a family, we loved taking family vacations together and we have so many wonderful memories we continue to share. She and Sherwood traveled extensively across the United States and Europe, but Lois was most content being right at home. She delighted in attending her children and grandchildren’s special events, sporting events, graduations and in cooking everyone’s favorite meals.

Lois was described as a loving, giving, gentle person with a heart of gold. Whenever she heard of any need, whether or not she knew the person, Lois reached out with prayer, a card, a visit or a gift of love. She was most known for the Hallmark cards she sent often to so many people in her life. She would spend hours in the Hallmark store or Christian Book store carefully selecting the card that spoke what was in her heart.

Over the past eight years, the last three years for Lois, both Lois and Sherwood suffered through extensive health problems. The suffering has been so difficult to experience and to helplessly watch, that it is only made bearable through the loving prayers, acts of kindness and support from so many friends, medical professionals and caregivers. Please know that every act of kindness was deeply appreciated.

Our family would like to extend our gratitude to Dr. Hong Jin Kim and his staff at UNC Division of Surgical Oncology and to all the other wonderful doctors and nurses who attended Lois during her hospital stays at UNC Memorial Hospital.

To Dr. Lucas Martinez and his wife Lois, “your Lois” as we would say, and to Drs. Lesley and David Browder, you are angels. We cannot thank you enough for your genuine loving, compassionate care for Lois and Sherwood over the years.

We would also like to thank the in-home caregivers who cared for Lois over the past months. We so appreciated you all. And especially to Mabeline Williams our deepest gratitude for your tender and loving care of Lois and Sherwood over the past three years.

A Celebration of Lois’ Life will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 3:00 PM at Living Faith Fellowship, 1090 West Mount Drive, Rocky Mount with Pastor Danny Harris, Pastor David Butts and Pastor Marty Warren officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services and, at other times, at the home of Kenneth and Deborah Burnette.

Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to Living Faith Fellowship, 1090 West Mount Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27803.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.