Kay Byrum Councill

   Kay Byrum Councill, 68, of 770 US Highway 13 North, Gates, NC, died Thursday, June 3, 2021 in her home where she was cared for by her family as she battled Pancreatic Cancer.

   Born in Pasquotank County on October 30, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Hercules and Katherine Byrum. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-mother, Gracie Bundy Howell Byrum; a sister, Emerald Thessin; a step-brother, R.A. Howell; and by her longtime companion of 29 years, Lonnie Jernigan.

   Retired from International Paper Corp. in Franklin, VA, in earlier years she had worked locally at Brinkley’s Hardware in Gates, and since her career at IP, had worked part-time at the Gates Recycling Center. She was a member of Middle Swamp Baptist Church.

   Surviving are her children, Sherry Councill White of Gates, and Clyde Councill (wife, Stephanie) of Virginia Beach, VA; her twin sister, Fay Allen of Yorktown, VA; two brothers, Wayne Byrum (wife, Kaye) of Gates, and L.H. Byrum (wife, Pat) of Suffolk, VA; and five grandchildren, Kaylee, Mandilyn, and Dillon White, and Grace and Tommy Councill. Also surviving are three step-sisters, Joan Russell (husband, Frank) of Sunbury, and Rita Lane (husband, Roger) and Dette Buck (husband, Joe), all of Gates.

   In accordance with her wishes, services for the family are private.

   The family asks that flowers be omitted, and contributions in her memory be made to the Gates Volunteer Fire Dept., 459 Gates School Road, Gates, NC 27937, or to Albemarle Home Care & Hospice, 1597 N Road Street #2, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.

   Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.millerfhc.com.