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RALEIGH, N.C. -- Helen Joan Holt Bullock passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, surrounded by family. Joan was 92 years old.
Joan was born May 29,1933, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Ottis Bryan Holt and Lela Francis Brewer Holt. The family moved in 1936 to Niles, where Joan spent the majority of her life before relocating to Raleigh in 2014.
A 1951 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and a proud 1954 graduate of the Youngstown Hospital Association Nursing School, Joan worked as a nurse and homemaker throughout her life.
Married to childhood sweetheart, Richard Bullock, they had been married since July 6, 1957. Joan was a devoted spouse, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lovingly raised three children, Lisa Theiss (Gerald), Lynn Kittel (Jeffrey) and Bruce Bullock (Tiffani). She had five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who were the sparks of joy in her life.
A true empath, Joan felt deeply for people, but was especially passionate about the needs of children. She devoted her life to caring for others.
Joan was an avid reader, a lover of classic Hollywood movies, a wizard at puzzles and trivia games, a loyal friend and a seamstress who made most of her daughters' clothes and her grandchildren's Halloween costumes. She lived a life of service, organizing reunions, scholarships and activities for the 1951 Niles High School class and she was an advocate for women' s and children' s causes until her final days.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Edith Roodhouse; and her brothers, Edward Holt and Jackie Holt.
She is survived by her beloved spouse of 68 years, Richard Lee Bullock; three children, Lisa, Lynn and Bruce; five grandchildren, Molly Theiss Anderson (Lance), Matthew Theiss (Kendra), Taryn Kittel, Kevin Coleman (Jessie) and Quinn Van Ert (Casey); and five great-grandchildren, Josephine, Ellis, Charlotte, Bennett and Bailey.
The family is planning a private memorial ceremony at Joan's favorite vacation spot in the Outer Banks, North Carolina.
Memorial contributions can be sent to Joan's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
In addition, in honor of our caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, the family asks that you make the world a more compassionate place by performing an act of random kindness.
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