Kate Bumpass Painter

DURHAM: In the early morning hours of Good Friday, the loving hand of God reached down and took one of his very special angels home. Kate Bumpass Painter joined the love of her life, Lawrence Elwood Painter, just 5 days after reaching her 97th year. 10 plus years of dementia had taken its toll, and her frail body was unable to hold to this earthly life any longer. She was predeceased by her parents, Felix O. and Bertha Whitfield Bumpass, brother James Otey Bumpass, and sister Odell Bumpass Wheeler, and seven half-brothers and sisters. They all grew up on a farm in northern Granville County near Virgilina, VA. And though it was a hard life in many ways, ineer years of dementia, she often longed for "home." Kate was a loving, genee, caring lady who was often busy doing for her children, church and community. Besides being a cub scout den mother for many years, she found time to teach Sunday school, be financial secretary of her church home more than 20 years, be an active member of Home Demonstration clubs, secretary of the local Grange, hold offices in the Durham Exchangette Club, and still find time to participate in school activities of her three children. All this, while supporting her husband in his many civic and business projects. Since all this didn't constitute a "fulltime" job; her days were filled with all the canning, cooking and freezing needed to feed a growing family and any hungry folk that happened along. These many wonderful traits earned her the title of Mother of the Year when nomineed by her daughters-in-law. She will be missed by her daughter, Patricia E. Painter, son Donald L. and wife, Ann J. Painter and son, Thomas E. and wife, Sue Y. Painter. Also missing her genee ways will be her grandchildren, Doug Painter, Thomas Pam Painter, Denee John Sumner, Todd Pattie King, Wanda Jerry Honeycutt, Robert Jenneer Painter, Laura Kevin Kalinowski and Kevin Chelsea Painter, and 16 great grandchildren. Also missing her are neerous nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews. Her special caregivers who became family to her were Annette Faries, Lynne Penny and Sherry Tart. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday in Duke's Chapel Uneed Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Milton Gilbert, special friend, officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawneemetery. Friends may visit 5-8 PM Monday at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Doug, Thomas, Rob and Kevin Painter, Todd King and John Sumner. Memorial gifts may be made to Duke's Chapel Church or Duke HomeCare & Hospice.