Obituary-img

Sherwood Thornton Bullock

September 23, 1925 ~ September 25, 2016

ROCKY MOUNT - Sherwood Thornton Bullock, age 91, passed away peacefully, walking into the arms of Jesus, on Sunday, September 25, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Winterville, NC on September 23, 1925, he was the son of the late Jimmy James Bullock and Verna Williams Bullock. He was preceded in death by his precious daughter, Yvonne Bullock Joyner; his brother, James Earl Bullock and his beloved “granddog” Lucy. Sherwood spent his early life in Winterville and Greenville. After his graduation from high school, he joined the United States Navy SeaBees and served in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. Upon his return from the war, he joined with a group of Rocky Mount businessmen and founded Coastal Plain Life Insurance Company. He was the sole survivor of that original group of businessmen. They built agencies in Greenville, Rocky Mount, New Bern and Washington, as well as in other eastern North Carolina areas. In 1966, Sherwood transferred from Greenville to the companys home office in Rocky Mount where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Agency Officer. Coastal Plain Life was sold in 1972 to United Insurance of America and Sherwood retired from United in 1980. Upon retirement, he entered into the mobile home park business and owned and operated parks in Rocky Mount, Sharpsburg, and Wilson. He served as a founder of and, for two years, the first president of the Tri County Mobile Home Parks Association. In his later years, he enjoyed some business projects with Chambliss and Rabil and he equally enjoyed many years of friendship with Norman and Jimmy. During his life, Sherwood was a member of the Greenville Civic Club, Greenville and Rocky Mount Moose Lodges, Rocky Mount Elks Lodge, Benvenue Country Club and Birchwood Country Club. He served 20 years as a volunteer fireman with the Greenville Fire Department. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During the Big Band Era, Sherwood and Lois 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. Sherwood and Lois 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. Sherwood always loved good desserts and took up baking when he retired. He delighted in sharing his many desserts, particularly his famous cheesecake, signature brownies and peanut butter balls, to name a few. He would generously share them with family, friends, his doctors offices, Almands Drug Store, Chambliss and Rabil, the senior golfers at Birchwood Country Club and with many others. Sherwood was a generous man who was always willing to help others. He did not question “Why should I help others?” rather he said, “Why should I not help others?” He always had silver dollars and two dollar bills for friends and family and for tips in restaurants. Many wait staff looked forward to adding them to their collection. Over the last six and a half years of Sherwoods life, he suffered many major health problems including a broken neck from a car accident, Lymphoma, Pneumonia and Cancer. He fought a courageous battle and several times stared death in the face and survived. He updated his obituary three times and was an inspiration in courage and faith to all who knew him. In many ways he was a medical miracle and he was certainly a testament to the power of prayer and Gods miracle of faith. Sherwood leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife, Lois Byrum Bullock, with whom he would have celebrated 69 years of marriage on October 8, 2016; devoted daughter, Deborah Bullock Burnette and “favorite” son-in-law, whom he called son, Kenneth Herman Burnette of Rocky Mount. He is also survived by his “pretty girl” granddaughter, Elizabeth Ashton Burnette of Raleigh; his “buddy roe” grandson, Mark Bradford Burnette of Oakmont, PA; sister, Evelyn Bullock Boyd of Greenville; nephew, James Leon Bullock and wife, Catherine, of Wilmington; nephew Nathan Boyd; niece, Beth Boyd; many special nieces and nephews through his marriage to Lois; and dear family friend, Christine Godwin. Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jon Gockerman, Duke University Medical Center, to Dr. Lucas Martinez, Dr. Laura Jacimore and staff, and especially to Drs. Lesley and David Browder and staff. These doctors provided not only the most excellent medical care available, but also some of the most touching acts of genuine love and compassion that our family has ever witnessed. Sherwood often said that Dr. Lesley was his angel. We also want to thank the many in home caregivers who have tenderly and lovingly cared for Sherwood and Lois over the past few years. We could not have managed without you all. So, to Mabeline Williams, Sydney Temple, Linda Neville, Madinda Lynch, Betty Wilkins, and Sandra Fuse, please know we deeply thank you. To Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash Health Care System, and particularly to Dr. Douglas Boyette, our deepest gratitude for all your love, compassion and care, not once but twice. The Lord was not finished with Sherwood during his first experience with Hospice and allowed him to “graduate”. And to many family and friends who have prayed frequently for Sherwood and for Lois over these years, please know every prayer was felt and deeply appreciated. A Celebration of Sherwoods life will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Living Faith Fellowship, 1090 West Mount Drive, Rocky Mount with Pastor Danny Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Living Faith Fellowship, 1090 West Mount Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27803 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash Health Care System, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. 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. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Tuesday 9/27, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Service Living Faith Fellowship Church 1090 West Mount Drive Rocky Mount, NC 27803 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-937-2999 --> | Wednesday 9/28, 2:00 pm Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle