Estelle Branton Byrum

   Estelle Elizabeth Branton Byrum, 102, formerly of Sunbury, NC, and more recently of Lake Prince Woods Retirement Community in Suffolk, VA, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

   Mrs. Byrum was born in Gates County, NC on December 15, 1915, and was the daughter of the late Robert Francis and Mattie Collier Branton. At an early age the family moved to Whaleyville, Virginia, where she enjoyed life on the farm with her four sisters until she met and married the love of her life, Willie Byrum, a young farmer from the Sunbury community of Gates County.

   A homemaker, she was a graduate of Whaleyville High School, a member of Eureka Baptist Church, its W.M.U., the Ida K. Brinkley Sunday School Class, the Ruth Walden Prayer Group, and the Young at Hearts Senior Group. Mrs. Byrum was a member of the Gatesville Senior Citizens and a charter member of the Corapeake Home Demonstration Club where she had received her 50 year certificate. She enjoyed the Fellowship Meals and playing Bingo with the ladies of Damascus Christian Church, and traveling with Nell Williams.

   For the past three years Mrs. Byrum had been a resident in Assisted Living at Lake Prince. After moving to this community, she became involved in its many activities where she enjoyed the fun and fellowship provided and made many new friends. She especially enjoyed the devotionals and church activities.

   In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Willie Byrum; her son-in-law, Billy Powell McLawhorn; sisters, Gladys Butler, Blanche Markham, Minnie Snyder, and Madeline Mathias.

   Surviving are one daughter, Joyce Byrum McLawhorn of Ayden; two sons, Willie Carroll Byrum and wife, Noreta, of Chesapeake, VA and Alfred Earl Byrum and wife, Lydia, of Nags Head; four grandchildren, Scott Byrum and wife, Dawn, of Santa Cruz, CA, Stephanie Carpenter and husband, Chris, of Arlington, VA, Will Byrum and wife, Erin, of Atlanta, GA, and Todd Byrum and wife, Erica, of Norfolk, VA; and five great-grandchildren, Jake Byrum, Kylie, Kara, and Ian Carpenter, and Blakely Byrum.

   Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Eureka Baptist Church, and will be conducted by her former pastor, The Rev. Cameron Currin. A private burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the service.

   Memorial contributions may be made to Eureka Baptist Church, P.O. Box 68, Corapeake, NC 27926.

   Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.