Ramona Williams Bunn

Ramona Williams Bunn, 97, of Zebulon, North Carolina, passed peacefully on February 16, 2026, surrounded by friends and family. Born February 18, 1928, in LaGrange, North Carolina, she was the youngest of seven siblings and the beloved daughter of Maude and Noah Hodges Williams.

After earning her bachelor's degree from the Woman's College in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1948, Ramona began a life marked by intellect, public service, and a deep care for others. She taught high school French, then worked for the N.C. Employment Security Commission, traveling throughout North Carolina to help establish new offices while also serving as a psychometrist. It was during her time with the Commission that she met her future husband, Col. Phillip R. Bunn, and they married in 1956. During this time, she also worked for the Farmers Home Administration under Harold Cooley in Washington, D.C. Widowed far too soon in 1969, Ramona carried Phillip's love and memory with her always, building a full and faithful life for nearly six decades thereafter; a life defined by faith, resilience, and a deep devotion to family and those she loved.

Ramona and Phillip made their home at the Bunn family airstrip in Zebulon, an elegant and charming location that served as a perfect match to Ramona herself. Ramona was a faithful member of Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and sang in the choir for many years. She lived her faith daily through her kindness, encouragement, and willingness to help anyone in need. She had a particular gift for making people feel welcomed and special, offering a sincere compliment, a caring attitude, and unwavering support until her final moments. She also volunteered as a docent at the North Carolina Museum of Art, sharing beauty and history with the same warmth she brought to every interaction.

A true Southern lady, Ramona was elegant, fashionable, and gracious to the end, and she will be remembered and missed for her quick wit, delightful sassiness, and sharp mind. She loved a good hand of cards (having a reputation of a "card shark"), solitaire, or mahjong, and had a quiet daredevil spirit that would create an adventure out of any ordinary day. She prided herself on keeping up with current events and engaging in lively political debates. She was a wonderful mother and a cherished friend to many.

Ramona is survived by her loving daughter, M'Lou Anderson; her granddaughters, Ashley Anderson (David Seastrunk) and Melissa Anderson; and her honorary grandson, Cody Strickland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Col. Phillip R. Bunn; her son, Phillip R. Bunn Jr.; her son-in-law, Garland Anderson; her two sisters, Isabelle Bartel and Mevis Crawford; and her four brothers, Howell, Noahie, Ray Vance, and Mert Williams.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Friday, February 20, 2026, at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service & Crematory, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545, and at other times at the Bunn Family home in Zebulon.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church, 4525 Hopkins Chapel Road, Zebulon, NC. Entombment will follow in the Bunn Family Cemetery.

Flowers are welcome, or donations made in honor of Ramona Bunn to a charity of your choosing.