Harold Keith Bynum, 94 of Providence NC, peacefully departed this world on Monday, August 23, 2021. He was born in Hope Mills, NC on February 20, 1927 to the late Ralph Bailey and Eva Mae McDaniel Bynum. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Mattie Britt Bynum and his daughter Barbara Karen Bynum.
Harold was Salutatorian of the 1944 Class of Massey High School. After graduation, he worked at the Post Office at Fort Bragg sorting mail. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy and was sent to Bainbridge, Maryland for boot camp and then to Hospital Corps where he became a Hospital Apprentice. He proudly served his country in WWII as a Hospital Corpsman and was in charge of the operating room. Harold had a passion for all things medical and spent most of his spare time studying any medical material he could get his hands on. He studied 4 years of pre-med at Bowman Gray Medical School of Wake Forest University where he earned his BS. He was a graduate of The University of North Carolina with an MSW and he also attended Yale University. He served Guilford County for 30 years as a Social Worker where he helped many people and touched many lives. He was a very active member of New Bessemer Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and taught Sunday School for 17 years. Harold, also lovingly known as “Poppy”, was a devoted family man who loved spending time with those who were near and dear to his heart. One of his favorite things to do was go out and eat and would always end the outing talking about the “next time”. He and his sister lived a few hours apart and would call each other every Sunday to see how their week had been. Those phone calls were the highlight of his week. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Bynum, stepdaughter Pam Dillard, granddaughters, Rebecca Dillard and Stephanie Foster (Chris), sister, Betty Ann Pleasant, nieces, Pam Musselwhite and Sandra Smith along with 3 great grandsons and multiple great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 am at Lakeview Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service and at other times at the residence. Mr. Bynum will lie in state at Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 N. Elm Street, Greensboro NC on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 12:00p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
