On Monday evening, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, Joan Elizabeth Rogers Bullock, 71, went peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after a five-year battle with vascular dementia.
Bidding her a tearful, yet celebratory and temporary farewell, were her sons, Martin and Peter; Peter’s precious wife, Whimsey, and her husband of more than 52 years, Lynn. Just a few hours before this, her amazing, beautiful, granddaughter (and Mini Me) Addison Marie, gave her Nana a final hug and kiss.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, W.B. and Helen Rogers; as well as her sister, Sue Cates. Left to cherish her memory were sisters, Shirley Lanning and Sandra Cook; brother, Wilson Rogers (Marie); and a large, extended family. Her memory will also be held dear by her church families from all over eastern North Carolina. To paraphrase an epitaph from decades past, “None knew her but to love her, none named her but to praise.”
Joan was born and raised near Fairmont While attending Barnesville High School and Fairmont High School, Joan was an honorable-mention all-conference basketball player, Beta Club member, and recipient of the DAR Good Citizenship Award. During her spring semester at UNCP, she was asked out for a date by Lynn Bullock. For seven months “he chased her until she caught him” on Sept. 30, 1966. They were blessed by the birth of their two sons, Martin and Peter. Later, Peter would bring Whimsey Lee in the family, and at age 65, Joan and Lynn would be blessed beyond measure with their granddaughter, Addison Marie. For three years, Addison came to their home on weekdays and blessed them beyond measure. Joan did clerical and accounting work for most of her career, but served as a teacher’s assistant during her last nine years prior to retirement.
In her role as an employee, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, her actions spoke volumes about her capacity for love and servanthood. In her calling by God to be a Pastor’s wife for almost 38 years, she was the consummate model of excellence, commitment, compassion and Christian example. Her value to her husband in their years of ministry together was beyond measure and any contributions to Kingdom ministry in their churches were based upon her support, encouragement, participation, and prayers. Her greatest desire would be to see everyone in heaven; she eagerly awaits all who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
A homegoing celebration for Joan will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, at Silver Lake Baptist Church, 4715 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington. Visitation will follow the service.
Memorials may be made to Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27360.
Share online condolences with the family at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home.
