Person Page - 4290

     Roena Mae Bullis was buried at Mountlawn Memorial Park, 196 Fan Key Road, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.³ She was born on October 27, 1921 at Hamlet, Richmond Co., North Carolina.⁴ As of circa 1944,her married name was Kulynych.⁴ She married Petro 'Pete" Kulynych circa 1944.^4,2 Roena Mae Bullis died on January 10, 2002 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 80.⁴ She Roena Bullis Kulynych, the wife of Lowe's Cos. executive Petro Kulynych, died Thursday at the Prince Nursing Center of the Brookridge Baptist Retirement Community in Winston-Salem. In August, the Roena Bullis Kulynych Dementia Research Center was created at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in her honor. Kulynych had suffered from dementia for years. Petro Kulynych donated $1.5 million and pledged $2.5 million more to create the center.
The center, which is part of the J. Paul Sticht Center for Aging and Rehabilitation, will research causes and treatments of dementia. The Kulynyches have also given money to other medical and charitable causes. Roena Kulynych was on the board of the Rainbow Center in North Wilkesboro, where the Roena Bullis Kulynych Cottage for Boys is named for her. She also was involved in the development of the Cherry Street fire station in Wilkesboro. Her father, Carl W. Bullis, was a 30-year veteran of the department and its chief for many years. The Kulynyches were named philanthropists of the year in 1998 by the North Carolina Planned Giving Council. In addition to the dementia research center, the Kulynyches contributed money to medical-student scholarships and for medical research. Company in Wake County is outfitting Afghan prisoners. on January 12, 2002.⁴ She WILKESBORO - Mrs. Roena Bullis Kulynych, 80, the wife of Petro Kulynych, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, at the Prince Nursing Center of the Brookridge Baptist Retirement Community in Winston-Salem. Mrs. Kulynych was born Oct. 27, 1921, in Hamlet to Carl W. and Arpha Foster Bullis. She was a 1939 graduate of Wilkesboro High School and attended Women's College in Greensboro (now UNC Greens-boro), graduating in 1941 in a two-year program. A member of Wilkesboro Baptist Church, she served on the board of trustees for the Rainbow Center in North Wilkesboro, where the Roena Bullis Kulynych Cottage for Boys is located. She was involved in the development of the Cherry Street Fire Station in Wilkesboro, which was dedicated in memory of her father. In addition to her husband of 58 years, Mrs. Kulynych is survived by two loving daughters, Mrs. Dale (Brenda) Cline of Hickory and Mrs. Ed (Janice) Story of Atlanta, Ga; six grandchildren, Luke Cline of Washington, D.C., Adam Cline and Laura C. and Chris Berry, all of Charlotte, and Christina Story, Thomas Story IV and Alex Story, all of Atlanta; and three great-grandsons, Lance Berry, Cameron Berry and Cooper Berry of Charlotte. Mr. and Mrs. Kulynych, named philanthropists of the year in 1998 by the North Carolina Planned Giving Council, having been major benefactors of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. In August 2001, the J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging and Rehabilitation at the Medical Center dedicated the Roena Bullis Kulynych Dementia Research Center in her honor. "The Kulynychs are among the most visionary of philanthropists in their support of the medical center," said Richard H. Dean, the president of Wake Forest University Health Sciences and the director of the medical center. In addition to the dementia research center, they have contributed over many years to a wide range of programs, including scholarships for medical students and research in more than a half dozen medical disciplines. The Kulynych Dementia Research Center will study the relationship between memory impairment, dementia and physical disability in the elderly. The center is directed by Dr. Jeff Williamson, an assistant professor of internal medicine/gerontology and geriatrics. "The Kulynych Dementia Research Center represents a bold step forward in the quest to find improved diagnostic and treatment methods for persons suffering from this debilitating disease," said Dr. Marco Pahor, the director of the Sticht Center. In addition to the dementia research center, the Kulynychs have funded the following programs at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: Kulynych Family Funds for Medical Research (benefiting cardiology, electrophysiology, general surgery, ophthalmology, urology and geriatrics), the Roena B. and Petro Kulynych Scholar-ship Fund (emphasizing qualified applicants from Wilkes County, Avery County and North Carolina), the Kulynych Family Funds in neurology, neuro-radiology, neurosurgery, geron-tology and geriatrics/internal medicine and the Kulynych Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Fund I. Similar scholarships have been estab-lished for undergrad-uate students at Wake Forest University. Mr. Kulynych served four terms as a member of the Wake Forest board of trustees, and he is currently a life trustee. In 1999, the Kulynychs donated $180,000 toward the construction of the new Wilkesboro Fire Station on Cherry Street. The donation was made in memory of Mrs. Kulynych's father, Carl Bullis, a 30-year veteran of the fire service and the chief of the town's fire department from 1932 until 1959. There is a plaque with a likeness of Bullis in the foyer of the station. At the dedication service for the department in 2000, Mayor Norman Call noted that the generous gift of the Kulynych family helped make the station possible. "No other single person has done as much for this fire department over the years as Carl W. Bullis. I think the happiest I ever saw Roena was at the groundbreaking for the fire station," said Pete Mann, who, as Wilkesboro's mayor at that time, helped with the arrangements for the donation to the town. She was deeply honored by the large number of Wilkesboro residents who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Many men who had served under her father were there, including Henry Smithey and Jay Parker, both former fire chiefs, along with Pete Glass, Archie Yates and many others she had known for most of her life. She was very pleased by their attendance. Roena attempted to make a speech at the dedication but became too emotional because she was so moved. Her husband, Pete, took the podium and finished her remarks. "It was a grand occasion. I have been to many such ceremonies, but that was the most sincere, moving and loving event I ever served at as mayor. Roena loved her father, her family, and the town of Wilkesboro." Mann added. "I asked Roena on several occasions to allow us to name the station in memory of her father, and each time she declined." She explained that she simply wanted to make a gift to honor her father and to show her love for her father and for the fire department. Since he loved the department so much, she loved it as well and had great rapport with the firefighters. After a private burial, a memorial service will be held at noon Monday at Wilkesboro Baptist Church, with the Rev. Alfred E Andrews Jr., the Rev. Frank McKenzie and the Rev. Allen Laymon officiating. The family will be at the Wilkesboro Baptist Church after the service Monday. Honorary pallbearers will be Vaughn Hayes, Arnold Lakey, Joe Huffman, Steve Forrest, Jack Sutton, Leonard Herring, Bob Strickland and Pete Mann. Memorials may be made to the Rainbow Center Inc., c/o Glenda Andrews, P.O. Box 1194, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. on January 12, 2002.⁴

     Petro 'Pete" Kulynych was buried at Mountlawn Memorial Park, 196 Fan Key Road, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.³ He was born on June 23, 1921 at Smith Mills, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania.² He married Roena Mae Bullis, daughter of Carl Warren Bullis and Arpha Louraine Foster, circa 1944.^1,2 Petro 'Pete" Kulynych died on January 17, 2015 at Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 93.² He Petro "Pete" Kulynych, 93, of Wilkesboro, widower of Roena Mae Bullis Kulynych, died Saturday, January 17, 2015, at his home. Following a private burial, the Kulynych family will be receiving friends at the John A. Walker Center on the campus of Wilkes Community College ( 1328 S. Collegiate Drive, or for easier access via Meadowview Drive Entrance), Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697 for a Celebration of Life , Friday, January 23, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Mr. Kulynych was born June 23, 1921, in Smithmill, PA, to Harry Collenich and Mary Pohlid Collenich. He served in the United States Navy and fought in World War II. Mr. Kulynych was a Founding Director of Lowe's Companies, Inc, when he retired in 1996. He received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Appalachian State University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Wake Forest University. Mr. Kulynych was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Roena Mae Bullis Kulynych, and one grandson, Alex Story. He is survived by: two daughters, Brenda Cline and husband, Dale, of Hickory, and Janice Story and husband, Thomas E. III, of Atlanta, GA; five grandchildren, Laura Cline Berry and husband, Chris, Adam K. Cline, Luke K. Cline and wife, Lauren, Christina Story, and Thomas Story IV and wife, Lauren; eight great-grandchildren, Lance Berry, Cameron Berry, Cooper Berry, Luke Berry, Andrew Crane, Mae Cline, Oren Cline and Thomas Cline; two sisters, Susan Priest of Port Orange, FL, and Irene Fisher and husband, William, of Pittsburgh, PA; and two brothers, Charlie Kulynych and wife, Shirlie, of Thomasville, PA, and George Kulynych and wife, Betty, of Knoxville, TN. Thank you to the people of Wilkes County who welcomed Dad back home and to his many friends who kept him strong with their love and friendship following his beloved Roena's passing. A comment by Petro's youngest brother, George Kulynych, of Knoxville, Tennessee: "Although this is a sad occasion, I think it is most appropriate to celebrate the life of an outstanding American, son of immigrants, a Navy officer, wonderful husband, father and grandfather; great brother and an enormously successful businessman who made a huge contribution to the great standard of life that we enjoy". The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to Roena Kulynych Dementia and Memory Center, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Office of Development & Alumni Affairs, P.O. Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 on January 21, 2015.²

     William Alexander Lipford was buried at Butler Memorial Cemetery, Butler, Johnson Co., Tennessee.¹ He married Elizabeth C. Rainbolt.¹ William Alexander Lipford was born on May 12, 1839.¹ He died on April 23, 1925 at age 85.¹

     Elizabeth C. Rainbolt was buried at Butler Memorial Cemetery, Butler, Johnson Co., Tennessee.¹ Her married name was Lipford.¹ She married William Alexander Lipford, son of Rev. Anthony Lipford and Anna C. "Annie" Adkins.¹ Elizabeth C. Rainbolt was born on June 12, 1832 at McNairy Co., Tennessee.¹ She died on June 2, 1906 at Butler, Johnson Co., Tennessee, at age 73.¹

     Millie Caroline Lipford was buried at Dunkirk Methodist Church Cemetery, Ferguson, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ Her married name was Cox.¹ She married Montgomery Cox.¹ Millie Caroline Lipford was born on October 14, 1845 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ She died on July 21, 1943 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 97.¹

     Annie Lou Cox was buried at Dunkirk Methodist Church Cemetery, Ferguson, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ Her married name was Horton.¹ She married Unknown Horton.¹ Annie Lou Cox was born on August 11, 1868 at North Carolina.¹ She died on September 9, 1975 at North Carolina at age 107.¹

     Mary Octavia Cox was buried at Dunkirk Methodist Church Cemetery, Ferguson, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ Her married name was Walsh.² She married Thomas Bynum Walsh.² Mary Octavia Cox was born on February 14, 1873 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ She died on November 15, 1967 at Ferguson, Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 94.¹

     Thomas Bynum Walsh was buried at Beaver Creek Advent Church, Ferguson, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ He married Mary Octavia Cox, daughter of Montgomery Cox and Millie Caroline Lipford.¹ Thomas Bynum Walsh was born in 1840.¹ He died in 1908.¹