Irene Chappell Byrum

Irene Chappell Byrum, 94, formerly of Nixon Street, Hertford, NC, died Saturday, March 15, 2014 in Carolina House of Elizabeth City. Mrs. Byrum was born in Perquimans County on April 26, 1919, and was the daughter of the late George W. and Rachel C. Chappell. She and her husband, the late Thomas Preston "Tommy" Byrum, were for many years the owners and operators of Byrum Furniture Company in Hertford. A member of Hertford Baptist Church, she had taught both Sunday School and Bible School, and was a member of its Bessie Pritchard Circle. Along with Tommy, Irene was active in the Perquimans County Meals on Wheels program. A fabulous cook, she loved to entertain family and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Talmadge M. Byrum; sisters, Missouria Winslow, Erma Winslow, Elva Chappell, and Cora Mae Copeland; her brother, Edgar Chappell; and her son-in-law, Clyde Bunch. Surviving are her daughters, Shirley B. Bunch of Edenton, Lois B. Baker and husband Wallace of Clayton, and Brenda B. Winslow and husband Harry of Hertford; a daughter-in-law, Judy Byrum of Hertford; a sister, Eunice C. Boyce of Hertford; eight grandchildren, Angie Grady, Tammy Crawford, Donna Cauley, Wallace Baker, III, Todd Winslow, Wendy Byrum, Melissa Bunch, and Scott Winslow; two step-grandchildren, Gene Appleton and Jenny Harris; 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, by the Rev. Gregory Clark. A private burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. Friends may join the family in the funeral home immediately following the chapel service, and all other times at Harry and Brenda's home, 288 Cartwright Swamp Road, Hertford. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's NC, Inc., 1305 Navaho Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609, (www.alznc.org); or to Hertford Baptist Church, P.O. Box 34, Hertford, NC 27944; or to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.