Gladys Strawn Bullard

Gladys Strawn Bullard born July 19, 1918 to Sylvester and Ellen Griffin Strawn in Marshville, NC. She was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters, her husband Bern F. Bullard to whom she was married for 53 years before his death in 2007. She was also preceded in death by her step son, Bern F. Bullard Jr. She is survived by her children by marriage, Barbara B. (Allen) Page, Salem C. (Betsy) Bullard, Lynn B. (John) Chapin and daughter in law Suzanne H. (Bern) Bullard, 13 step grandchildren and 18 step great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews , great nieces and great nephews.

Gladys and Bern moved to Springmoor Retirement Community in 1990 and enjoyed making many new friends. The family is appreciative of the loving care of Dr. Wells Edmundson, the staff of Springmoor, and the Stewart Health Center, and her caregiver Josie Bryant.

Gladys received her B.S. in Home Economics from UNC-G and an M.S. in Public Health Nutrition from Simmons College, a cooperative program with Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition from Simmons College, a cooperative program with Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Mass.

Her professional experience was as the Dairy Marketing Specialist with the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture, where she met Kerr Scott who was then the Secretary of Agriculture and who mentored her in Democratic politics. She was the Supervisor of School Lunch Program with the N.C. Dept. of Education and Nutrition Consultant with N.C. State Board of Health before her marriage to Bern F. Bullard, who then supported her interest in family, community, political, alumni and church activities as a volunteer.

She was a member and served on many committees at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, including President of WMU. She had been a member and past President of the Raleigh Woman’s Club, leading most of the committees of the club including being appointed a member of the Mayor’s Host Committee for the City of Raleigh. She helped establish “the Chapel of the Nameless Women” the Women’s Prison in Raleigh. She helped retire the 15 year mortgage on the current Woman’s Club in 7 years and in appreciation has a room in the club dedicated in her honor where her portrait is hung. Gladys assisted with the organization of and served as first President of the Democratic Women of Wake County. She was a member of the Board of the following organizations: YWCA, Wake County Red Cross, United Nation’s Association, and member of the Program Development Council of Wake County Economics Opportunities, Inc. In addition, Democratic politics expressed Gladys’ desire to help those who were unable to help themselves and she worked ceaselessly to carry out those policies. She was named Democratic National Committeewoman by Governor Terry Sanford and attended the Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy as an honored guest. She served as one of the first women to be appointed to the Board of Conservation and Development of North Carolina from 1961 to 1967. She was a member of the N.C. and American Dietetic Association, a member of the N.C. and American Home Economics Association and the Treasurer and Board Member of the N.C. Conference for Social Service. Gladys worked with UNC-G as a member of the Alumni Association, was a Past President, member of the Bard of Trustees and recipient of the prestigious Alumni Award. She was honored by the YWCA by being inducted in to the Academy of Women as Volunteer of the Year in 1989. Her family supported her and appreciated her service to the citizens of Raleigh, Wake County and North Carolina.

The memorial service will be held at 11 am Monday December 8, 2014 at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church with visitation and lunch in Finlator Hall after the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and UNC Greensboro.

Arrangements are under the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC 27605