Una Pearl Bullock

In loving memory of Una Pearl Stephenson Bullock, 94, a long time Knoxville resident passed away surrounded by family and love ones September 10, 2023 at Fort Sanders Hospital. She was born on February 4, 1929 in Athens, Tennessee to Cammie and James Stephenson. In her early years, she was raised in the country. If given a chance she would sneak away with a book, a habit and love for books that she would enjoy throughout her life. She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Young High Pike in Knoxville. She also carried her love of gardening from the family farm to her home in Knoxville. She was the Stephenson’s eldest daughter, she had one older brother, one younger brother, and four younger sisters.

She aspired to move beyond her simple country upbringing. She graduated from McMinn County High School in 1947. Then she moved to Louisville to attend the School of Nursing at Louisville General Hospital. She obtained her nursing degree from there in 1950. After college, she joined the US Army as a second lieutenant nurse in the Korean War era. She cared for Korean war veterans. While in the army, she met James Bullock. They were married on October 13, 1951 in Fort Riley, Kansas. They had four sons together, Thomas, Lawrence, James Patrick, and Timothy. They resided in Denver and in 1959, she moved back to Knoxville, Tennessee raising her boys as a single mom. In 1968, she was struck by a car and nearly died, being hit by a drunk driver. She was hospitalized for months and had lifelong health impacts. Her boys all attended Rule High School, and went on to complete college and all served in the military. They learned many things from her to name a few: service to your family, friends, community, and country; to fully devote and commit themselves to completing a task, and to be kind. She was a very generous person. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree at LMU in the 1980’s

She retired from nursing in 1998 finishing her career at National Health Care Corporation after fifty years in nursing. She was an avid reader, loved gardening, taking photographs, attending family reunions in Athens and traveling with her sisters. She also loved taking her grandchildren on outings to the library, movies, zoo, circus, Disney on ice, flower gardens, Knoxville Dogwood arts festival, and visiting her out of town grandchildren. She was a member of Karns Flower Club and Friends of Knoxville Library.

She was a devoted friend to many. Stormy and Donna were two of her great long-time friends. One of her greatest accomplishments was raising four sons who not only served in the military, but are men of great character that served their families, friends, careers, churches, and communities in exemplary ways. She was a strong and perseverant woman which enabled her to remain living in her home.

Una is survived by her sister, Carol Frost of Stone Mountain, GA. Una is preceded in death by her parents: Cammie and James Stephenson, brother James Stephenson who died in the Korean War, brother Donald Stephenson, sisters Jackie Price, Betty Newman, and Billie Jo Patterson and daughter-in law Sandy Bullock.

She has four surviving sons: Thomas Bullock of Meridianville, Alabama, Lawrence Bullock of Mulberry, Florida, James Patrick (Tonya) Bullock of Askim, Norway, (Nina)and Timothy (Teresa) Bullock aka troublemaker according to Una. With each passing year she gained sass, spunk, and sarcasm which have been passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Una has eight surviving grandchildren: Terrie Bullock of Charleston, SC, Tracie (Brian) Hirschler of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Brent (Martha) Bullock of Chesapeake, Virginia, Karl Patrick (Helena)Bullock of Warsaw, Poland, Kaylee Bullock of Mulberry, Florida, Ryan Bullock (Rachel), Breanne Bullock and Cammie (Josh) Coppock of Washington State.

Una has ten surviving great grandchildren: Faith Elizabeth, Bryant Timothy, Fiona Victoria, Brendan Vincent Hirschler of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, James Matthew and Ruth Elizabeth-Rose of Chesapeake, Virginia, Brody Jackson Bullock, Melina Nicole Bullock and Jr. George Bullock of Washington State, and Sophia Elena Bullock of Warsaw, Poland.

The Bullock family will receive friends from 11:00am-1:00pm on Saturday, September 16th at Weaver Funeral Home, 5815 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921. Funeral service will be immediately following visitation at 1:00pm. Graveside service will be at 3:00pm on September 16th at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.