Hazel (Whitaker) Bunn

Hazel Whitaker Bunn was born on Thursday morning, October 7, 1943, in Edgecomb County / Rocky Mount, NC to the late John Hill and Eloise Whitaker Knight.  She departed this life early Saturday (Sabbath) morning on March 23, 2024, surrounded by family. 

She lived with her mother for a while then later went to live with her mother’s oldest sister (the late Stella Joyner) in Newark, NJ.  She was the 2nd oldest of 10 siblings.  She attended Central High School in Newark, NJ.  After graduation, she attended nursing school for a year but took another path.  She worked with Chr-ill, for the chronically ill, ARC and Ashbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for several years.  She worked with one of the members of her church helping in her daycare, but eventually branched out and had her own daycare services in her home with several children.

Hazel met her husband, William Bunn Sr., while in NJ.  The two were united in holy matrimony on June 27, 1964, at Friendship Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ.  To this union four children were born, William, Alicia, Kenneth & Timothy.  She faithfully attended Tabernacle Baptist Church in Newark, NJ.  While taking one of her children to the doctor’s office, she saw “The Bible Story” brochure/card and decided to send off for them.  Subsequently, she started taking Bible Studies and was baptized in 1974 becoming a member of Trinity Temple SDA Church in Newark, NJ.  Her involvement in the church included being a member of one of the church choirs and ushering. She later became a member of the Philadelphia SDA Church in Burlington, NC and served as a deaconess, usher, Sabbath school teacher and enjoyed sending out cards to others as part of the correspondence ministry. 

Upon moving to NC, Hazel worked at Ralph Scott Life Services for 17 years as a Day Program Instructor and loved every minute of it.  She was voted “Employee of the Year” and received many other certificates and plaques.  She praised God for her work ethic and being able to get along with people.  She believed in giving and helping others.  She also gave to various organizations such as “St Jude Children’s Hospital, Feed the Hungry, Feed the Children, Allied Churches, NAACP, United Negro College Fund and Greensboro Urban Ministry.  She said the Word says, “it’s better to give than to receive.” 

Hazel was a blessing to others and a joy to be around.  She loved, encouraged, and treated everyone with respect. She was someone you could easily communicate with leaving the conversation feeling exhorted and lifted up.  As someone mentioned, “she was a warrior.”  Even in her sickness, she was praising God and giving him the glory and in spite of what she faced, she still felt the need to pray for others.  She was a beautiful person inside and out.

She was preceded in death by one son, William Earl Bunn Jr.; two brothers, James Edward Knight & Thomas Whitaker; three sisters, Alice Faye Knight, Angela Cherry and JoAnn Knight.

Hazel leaves to cherish her wonderful and precious memories to her loving husband of 59 years, William Earl Bunn Sr., Graham, NC; one daughter, Alicia Revelle (Chris) of Whitsett, NC; two sons, Dr. Kenneth Bunn of Stockbridge, GA, Timothy Bunn Sr. of Graham, NC; one brother, Thurman Whitaker (Jessie) of Philadelphia, PA; three sisters, Elmarie Harris (Leroy), Wamese Jones (Herman) and Peggy McGee (Edward) all of Rocky Mount, NC; ten grandchildren, Corey Morris, Kamryn Bunn, Adajia Bunn, Kelsey Bunn, Timothy Bunn Jr., Kemitt Bunn, Karson Bunn, Immanual Bunn, Kole Bunn and Noah Bunn; two great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Florence Underhill, Barbara Jean Underhill, Brenda Underhill and Ruth Bunn; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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