Willie Mae Bullard Rumph

On August 26, 2023, a beautiful soul and spirit moved to heaven. Willie Mae Bullard Rumph was well loved and she loved well. Throughout her 88 years of life, those who were fortunate to come across her path, to be in her world, knew they were in the presence of one who cared for them to the core. She thrived on caring for and giving to others, and always had that twinkle in her eye. She was quick to laugh, and loved to make others laugh.

Willie Mae was born on December 1, 1934, and grew up in Fair Bluff, NC on a tobacco farm. She was a sweet, smart, loving daughter, and worked hard with her family on the farm. She was a caring sister to her three brothers, and loved her family dearly.

The summer of 1953 was a fun, exciting, a little sad, and a scary time when she left the family farm, and moved to the Queen City. She came to Charlotte to go to Business school for secretarial courses. She had graduated valedictorian in high school and went on to excel in Business school, learning typing, shorthand in addition to the other courses. She got her first job at Household Distributors in the downtown area.

While living with family friends in Charlotte, she met a handsome Home Security Life Insurance salesman named Jack Rumph. Their first date was her 19th birthday, December 1,1953. It was not long before they were in love, engaged, and then married on April 10, 1955. The love they shared from beginning to end was rich and multi faceted. The devotion and care she gave to Jack was inspiring. When they were blessed with daughters five and eight years later she begin to share and give of herself in new ways. She was a beautiful, sweet, and caring mother. She quit work when Amy was born, stayed home to care for her. Three years later Mona was born and she was overjoyed with her daughters.

Willie Mae loved to work with her hands. Whether she was sewing her clothes, her daughter's clothes, and even her mother's Sunday dresses, cooking amazing meals, or calling and writing friends, her love and care for others was evident. The work of her hands was from the overflow of love in her heart.

In the late 60s and early 70s she worked as a secretary part time at her church Hickory Grove Baptist. She and Jack had joined Hickory Grove in 1956. This church was another love and strong force in her life. She was actively involved for years as a Sunday School teacher, was secretary for VBS a number of years, and took minutes for congregational business meetings.

Most recently she has loved being a member of the Friendly Bread Breakers Sunday School class, and their many projects and gatherings. She also was a key member of Women on Mission and their main service project with Dolls on Missions.

Willie Mae loved her Mint Hill neighbor community. She loved to keep the neighbors informed of what was going on in the neighborhood. Her neighbors were like family to her she loved them deeply. She was so thankful she and Jack had moved to the neighborhood in 1989.

Cooking and baking were second nature to Willie Mae, and her main love language. Her oven was always on, and she'd make sure one never left empty handed. She ensured folks had meals when needed, and especially shared her banana bread with family, friends and neighbors. Whether it was a sorrowful or joyful occasion, Willie Mae was there with a cake.

In 1978 she decided to go back to work fulltime and got a job as a secretary at State Farm where she worked until 1997. She enjoyed being productive in her job, and her bosses praised her efficiency and knowledge. She made many lifelong friends from her network of coworkers.

After retirement from her job, she and Jack took many trips with friends to many places across America including Hawaii and Canada. When not traveling they would drum a good game of cards with friends, and laugh and laugh far into the night.

Willie Mae is survived by a family she fiercely loved, daughters Amy Pace, and husband Matthew, Mona Addington, and husband Doug, grandsons, Daniel J Addington, and wife Yasmeen, and Charles Jackson Pace, and wife Sarah. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law, Debbie Bullard, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

A visitation for Willie will be held Friday, September 1, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hickory Grove Baptist Church Harris Campus Worship Center, 7200 E W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28215, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 PM.

Memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Baptist Church Missions, 7200 E. WT Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28215, Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina, Post Office Box 338, Thomasville, North Carolina 27361, or VIA Health Partners Hospice, Post Office Box 470408, Charlotte, North Carolina 28247.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com for the Rumph family.