Betty Jean McCormick Byrum

Betty Jean McCormick Byrum, of Greenville, NC, formerly of Scotland Neck, NC, died Saturday, August 17, 2024, at her home after a period of declining health. She was 96. 

The beloved wife of Graham Vance Byrum, Sr., MD, she was born on April 12, 1928, in Leesville, FL. The daughter of the late John Joseph McCormick and Helen Riddick McCormick, she was raised in Jacksonville FL, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University in 1949. Betty Jean met Vance, the love of her life, in Winston-Salem, NC in 1951, when as a medical student he asked her to help draw blood from a patient. They married six months later and remained so for 61 years, until his death in April 2013. Together they raised their family in Scotland Neck, where they were faithful members of Trinity Episcopal Church. Betty Jean loved her church and spent countless hours serving with the Episcopal Churchwomen, cooking in the kitchen, helping organize the annual bazaar, serving on the Altar Guild and on the Vestry, where she was senior warden. She also served on the Trinity Episcopal Cemetery Committee. She was a member of The Poetry Club.

Known for her elegance and grace, her immaculate and beautiful home, her caramel cakes, her independent nature, her love of every bird and flower— especially peonies—and her quiet sense of humor, she was lovingly known as “B” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she adored them all. 

“B” is survived by her three children: Graham V. Byrum, Jr., MD and wife Marti of Greenville; Pamela B. Jenkins and husband Jimmy of Glen Allen, VA; and Susan B. Rountree and husband Rick of Raleigh; eight grandchildren: Kendall B. Hussey and husband Matt of Alexandria, VA; Graham V. Byrum, III, MD and wife Madison of Winston-Salem; Samuel M. Byrum and wife Lindsay of Raleigh; Susan J. Sumrell and husband Jonathan of Glen Allen, VA; James W. Jenkins III and wife Whitney of Houston, TX; John M. Jenkins and wife Britany of Austin, TX; Meredith R. Worsham and husband James of Brooklyn, NY; and Graham A. Rountree and wife Grace of Raleigh; and 16 great-grandchildren: Cole, Laura Gray, Vance, Coy, Everly, Eloise, Olivia, Charlotte, Gracie, Lucy, McCormick, Henry, Hazel, Audie and Gray, and Kerrington, born in the wee hours of August 17 before “B” passed away. Her sister-in-law, Betty Byrum Lilley, of Augusta, GA, died less than an hour after Betty Jean. “B” is also survived by a niece and nephew, Linda Skenes of Evans, GA and David Lilley of Salem, SC.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a brother and sister, her beloved dog Ruby, and a plethora of animals whom she loved throughout her life.

The family would like to thank Lupe Leilani Pio, Trina Daniels, Sheila Peterson, Annette Clayton and Nikia Brimmage for their love, loving care and devotion to “B” as she declined. 

A service of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Scotland Neck. The family will greet friends in the Parish House the hour prior to the service. The burial, following the service, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Church Memorial Fund or Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park.

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