Gena Bullard

Gena Anna Bullard, age 86, of rural Mt. Sterling, IL passed away at 3:24 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Liberty Village in Pittsfield, IL.  She was born on March 21, 1936 in Van Buren County, Arkansas to Otis Claude and Mary Viona Passmore Branscum.  She married Lyle Dean Bullard on October 12, 1956 and he preceded her in death on January 16, 2006.  

Mrs. Bullard was a 1954 graduate of Brown County  High School.  She worked various jobs in the community, more recently caring for elderly in a home health care capacity but her favorite job was being a mother and a grandma.   Lyle Dean and Gena owned and operated the family farm for nearly 50 years raising livestock and tending to large vegetable gardens.  Gena loved to cook and preserve her garden fruits and vegetables in the freezer as well as canning.    No matter what the occasion was, Gena was always ready to supply a home cooked meal.   Her family and many members of the community remember her infamous homemade noodles and copious leftovers that she sent home with everyone.   There was always a seat available to anyone that the Bullards knew to be spending a holiday alone.   

Gena and Lyle Dean shared two children, Randy Bullard of Mt. Sterling and Sharon (Guy) Crum of Perry.   They also have three grandchildren, Heather Crum of Perry, IL, Brady Bullard of Yuma, AZ, and Beth (Josh) Massey of Hannibal, MO and 10 great grandchildren, Josiah, Zohn, Silas and Samuel Crum, Brooklyn Gipson, Willow Bullard, Klementine and Joshua Massey and Bella and David Veiyra.   Mrs. Bullard was known to many as “grandma” and loved being grandma to everyone.   She is survived by 1 sister, Wilma Clinard, 1 brother Dorvil (Sheila) Branscum, and many nieces and nephews.  

Gena was a long-time member of Morrellville Community Church.  She attended every service, every week; almost never missing a Wednesday or Sunday.  She embodied the character of a true believer of Jesus Christ and without a doubt is spending an eternity in Heaven with Jesus.  Just days before passing away, she was singing “How Great Thou Art” without missing a word.     

Gena was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Dean, parents, 2 brothers Noah & J C Branscum, 1 sister Ruby Trammell, and one in infancy. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling with Pastor Wayne Sutton and Pastor Dennis Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow in the Benville Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday morning at the funeral home.

Those unable to attend are invited to watch Gena’s service live on her obituary page of the funeral home website, hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

Memorials are suggested to “Operation Christmas Child”.

Condolences for the family may be left on line at hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gena Bullard, please visit our floral store.