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Gatesville, North Carolina
Graham Byrum Obituary
Scotland Neck
Graham Vance Byrum, MD, age 84, of 1832 Main Street, Scotland Neck, NC, died Saturday, April 20, 2013 in his home following a brief illness.
Born December 2, 1928, he was the son of the late William Graham and Estelle Hooks Byrum. Raised in Sunbury, NC, he graduated from Wake Forest College in 1949, and Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1952. Dr. Byrum served in the US Navy during the Korean War and was the medical officer aboard the USS Hickox. After his service, he began his medical practice in Scotland Neck, and humbly cared for its people for more than 56 years, both in private practice and at Our Community Hospital. A faithful member of Trinity Episcopal Church, he had served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden. Other areas of service included the boards of Our Community Hospital and the Scotland Neck Memorial Library, president of the Halifax County Medical Society, and as a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Dr. Byrum is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Jean McCormick Byrum, and their children, Dr. Graham V. Byrum, Jr. and wife, Marti of Greenville, Pamela B. Jenkins and husband, Jimmy of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Susan B. Rountree and husband, Rick of Raleigh; eight grandchildren, Kendall B. Hussey and husband, Matt of Alexandria, VA, Dr. Graham V. Byrum III of Winston-Salem, Samuel M. Byrum of Raleigh, Susan J. Sumrell and husband, Jonathan of Richmond, VA, James W. Jenkins III of Washington, DC, John M. Jenkins of Kansas City, MO, Meredith R. Worsham and husband, James of New York City, and Graham A. Rountree of Raleigh; four great-grandchildren, Cole, Laura Gray, Vance, and Gracie; his sister, Betty Byrum Lilley and husband, Maj. Gen. Aaron Lilley, U.S. Army (Ret.) of Smithfield, VA; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Ruby.
A service of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church. A reception in the church Parish House will follow the service. Burial will be private. Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Friends may join the family on Monday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, the Scotland Neck Memorial Library Board, or the Salvation Army.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Graham Byrum
April 26, 2013
Dr. Byrum,
You were the best! Blessings and Peace to all of your family.
April 25, 2013
God Bless you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Dr. Gidley's office staff
Teresa Clemmer
April 25, 2013
To the Byrum family, I remember Dr. Byrum growing up. I never did like going to any dr. but Dr. Byrum just seemed different. The Clemmer Family always though alot of Dr. Byrum. Just know that I'm praying for you all, and God give you the peace and comfort you need at this time. God Bless you all.
Theresa Bell
April 25, 2013
The entire town of Scotland Neck mourns the loss of our beloved Dr. Byrum. We were fortunate to have him and his family in our small community. He brought me into this world and was my doctor as a child, college student and young adult. When I think of the word, "doctor", his image comes to mind. I am extremely grateful to have been the recipient of his expertise, kindness and compassion. Peace and love to the family.
Iris Moore
April 25, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Prayers going out to the family. Dr. Byrum was a great person as well as a great doctor. He will be missed.
Clyde Baisey
April 25, 2013
Dr. Byrum was a very important aspect of all our lives. As a teen working with the Scotland Neck Rescue Squad, I gained valuable insight from him and carried that knowledge with me all these years. He was a kind and gentle doctor and will be greatly missed. I often compare doctors of today to him and the level of care we received in our small town. No comparison. Watch over us from you seat beside GOD. You will be greatly missed.
Margaret Overman
April 25, 2013
Dr. Byrum was very kind and good to me when I lived in Scotland Neck and very supportive also when I worked for Our Community Hospital. He was a good person and will be greatly missed.
Marilyn Blalock
April 24, 2013
Dr Byrum and family, thoughts and prayers for you and your family during this time.
Cindy Rogers
April 24, 2013
To the family of Dr. Byrum; He was a great Dr. to my family. He delivered two of my three children. He has always made every visit a pleasure. He will never be forgot for all the great things he did for the town of Scotland Neck and the people in all the surrounding area's. He and Dr. Sutton was a great team of Doctors that will always be in a lot of conversations. You are all in my prayers.
April 24, 2013
Much love and many blessings to Dr. Byrum's family.
Bill Whitehead
April 24, 2013
Growing up he was one of our family doctors. A valued part of my childhood he was and always will be. My sympathies to the Byrum family
Virginia Ayers Best
April 24, 2013
To all the family! I am sorry for your loss! I pray God gives each of you a sense of peace through your time of grief! Dr Byrum was a very well cared for in our community! He will be missed by a great many people! God bless each of you!
Virginia Ayers Best
April 24, 2013
To all the family members! I am deeply sorry for your loss! Dr Byrum was a well respected and cared for person of our community. May The Lord give you all peace through your time of loss.
Erin McGillicuddy
April 24, 2013
I feel blessed to have known such a great man. I have learned so much from Betty Jean "B" and Dr. Byrum "Pop B" about family, love, and how to live life each and everyday thankful to our lord above! All my love and prayers with all of the Byrum family
Jean Stephens
April 24, 2013
I have so many good memories of Dr. Byrum. I'm thinking of all of you.
April 24, 2013
To the Family: We are so sorry for your loss. Dr. Byrum was such a great doctor and friend to many. We'll always remember how much fun he, my daddy, and the rest of the "card" players had when they got together. Very special times! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kindly,
Mary Hodges Leggett Ward and Lake Leggett
Colleen Bunting
April 23, 2013
Sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the family of Dr. Graham Vance Byrum. My late husband, Garland, thought there were no two doctors anywhere like Dr. Byrum and Dr. Julian T. Sutton. I agree. Garland was very fond of both doctors, as was I. Drs. Sutton and Byrum were a special team, and they will be remembered indefinitely by the citizens of the community they served for decades. No doubt, Dr. Byrum's light will forever shine in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him. May peace and comfort be your constant companion as you adjust to this tremendous loss in your family circle.
Sincerely,
Colleen Bunting
Scotland Neck, N. C.
Bobby Bell
April 22, 2013
Byrum Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Dr. Byrum was a fine doctor and a very fine gentlemen. He served Scotland Neck well for many years.
April 22, 2013
Dr. Byrum's family are all in my prayers. Dr. Byrum was my Doctor and friend for many years.
He was truly an asset to the town of Scotland Neck. He served our Community for many years.
May God's love be with you all.
Archie Worley, Jr.
Barb Rice
April 22, 2013
Pamela, Jimmy, Hooks, Jonathan, Jay, John and Gracie: You are all in the thoughts and prayers of your Des Moines friends!! We love you and miss you!! We pray that your precious family memories and the care and concern of your family and friends will bring you comfort. He has left an amazing legacy in his beautiful family!! Our best to your mother and the rest of your family. God bless you all!!
April 22, 2013
Sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Vicky Conyers ENA-Greenville NC.
Alline (Bagley) Chauncey
April 22, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Byrum's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Christina Jones, ENA-Kinston
April 22, 2013
Dr. Byrum and family. I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.
Jamie Ivey
April 22, 2013
Dr. Graham Byrum Jr.,
I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerly, Jamie Ivey ENA
Diane Barnes
April 22, 2013
Grey and family,
Jon and I are sad to hear about your dad, and I remember him fondly in the early years when we played as kids together.
I know my dad and mom, Cliff and Willis Barnes, were very fond of your parents, and my dad, especially, remembers growing up with your dad as 'his best friend.' Such fond memories of wonderful years in Gates County, and I am sure they had fun!
Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Sincerely, Diane Barnes Otis and Jon Otis (live in New York City)
Anne Hathaway
April 21, 2013
Betty Jean, it has been many years since I have seen your family and you. I am so sorry to hear about Vance; our family thought so much of him. Please know your family is in my thoughts.
Anne Hathaway
Nancy Whitehead Harrison
April 21, 2013
Betty Jean,
I was sorry to read about Vance's death in the paper today. He was a caring doctor and a vital part of the Scotland Neck community for many years.
With sympathy,
April 21, 2013
Betty Jean, Gra, Susan and Pamela,
We are so sorry to learn of the death of Vance. He was a wonderful doctor and friend and will be sorely missed by many.
With our love and sympathy,
Sandra and Charles Smith
Van Fleming
April 21, 2013
Susan, so sorry to read about your Dad. Will call you late next week. Pls tell Rick and Meredith and Graham my condolences.
Van Fleming
Nancy Dickens
April 21, 2013
Such a good Friend and kind and caring Doctor to me and my family. He will be greatly missed by our Community. It was an Honor to serve with him on the Library Board.
Wllard & Naomi Hofler
April 20, 2013
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
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Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Homes & Crematory - Gatesville304 Main Street PO Box 23, Gatesville, NC 27938
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