Julia Taylor Hyman

Julia Taylor Hyman, 53, of Morehead City, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 4, 2009.A celebration of her life be held 1 p.m. today at St. Egbert Catholic Church in Morehead City with the priest, the Reverend Douglas Smiley officiating. A reception for friends and family will immediately follow in the reception hall.Taylor was born March 8, 1956 in Edgecombe County to Sue Lovelace and Richard Oliver Whitlark of Crisp. She graduated from South Edgecombe High School in 1974, and went on to earn a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University. In 1978 Taylor was married to Sonny Hyman, and since then has lived in Morehead City. She worked for ten years at Carteret Surgical Associates as the nurse manager for five surgeons. In 1989, Taylor had the opportunity to take on a new challenge, and worked as a nursing instructor at Carteret Community College for the License Practical Nursing Program, and in 2000 became the Curriculum Coordinator for the program. In 1996, she was certified in reflexology, and established long-lasting and genuine relationships with her clients for the next eight years. In continuing her education she enrolled in the Master of Nursing program at the University of Phoenix. With only 14 credits to go at the time of her accident she enlisted the help of family and friends and completed the program in 2005. Taylor was very active in the community with her support of the St. Egbert track club started by her and Sonny, and her facilitation of Caring Connection, a support group for patients living with cancer and their families.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Jonathan Lane.She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Clyde Cherry Gerard "Sonny" Hyman of Morehead City; a daughter, Kelley Hyman Burton and husband Thomas Hugh Burton of Emerald Isle; a son, Jon Michael Hyman and fiancée Lindsey Horne of Morehead City; four sisters, Dale Whitlark-Cole and husband Don Cole of Crisp, Sue Webb of New Bern, Mary Edith Heath and husband Larry Heath of Greensboro, and Jacqueline Parker and husband Graham Parker of Sanford, and a brother, Richard Whitlark and wife Debra Whitlark of Pinetops.The family gratefully acknowledges the caregivers, friends, and family members who have supported Taylor during the last five years following her spinal cord injury. In remembering Taylor, we often think of the phrase "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Taylor Hyman Nursing Scholarship Fund, Carteret Community College, 3500 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557.Funeral arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Morehead City.