ZOLA FAY (SULLIVAN) BYNUM, 83, passed away Thursday evening, March 4, 2010 at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado. Zola was born on December 5, 1926 at the family home north of Boone, Colorado and had resided in Fowler, Colorado for the last 15 years. She was preceded in death by husband, Gerald Earl (Jerry) Sullivan; son, Kenneth Earl Sullivan; daughter, Bonnie Fay Sullivan; husband, Harvey Samuel Bynum; parents, Dhu & Ressa Wright; brothers, Hugh Lind (and wife, Josephine), and Richard Wright; sisters, Corinna Sullivan (and husband, Buss; LaGurna Norton (and husband, Joe); brother-in-law, Jacky Hively. She is survived by her daughter, Connie May Sullivan of Fowler, step-sons Sam (Karen) Bynum and Dan (Becky) Bynum of Ulysses, Kansas; brother, Duane (Evelyn) Wright of Fowler; sister, Joyce Hively of Pittsburg, Texas, sister-in-law, Shirley Wright of Manzanola, Colorado; two sisters-in-law, Betty Carter of Boone, and Bernice Sefcovic of Norman, Oklahoma; 7 step-grandchildren and 11 step-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great, great nieces and nephews, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
Zola lived in the north Boone area most of her childhood years, although the family moved to several other Colorado towns during her years at home. Zola attended Boone Elementary School and Boone High School through the 9th grade. Zola spent time with her Aunt Drucilla in Texas while recovering from a bout with Rheumatic Fever, which resulted in loss of a school year.
Zola married “Jerry” Sullivan on November 20, 1946 in Grandmother (Lela) Wright’s house in north Boone, Colorado. They had three children: Kenneth who died in infancy, Bonnie and Connie. Zola helped Jerry on the farm raising pinto beans, grain sorghums and cattle. She served her family well as a homemaker, mother and housewife. The Highlands Baptist Church was established in September of 1946 and they were among some of its first members. Jerry moved the family to Crowley, Colorado on Valentine’s Day in 1987 where they lived until his death in 1988. Zola and Connie continued to live in Crowley until 1995 when she purchased her current house and moved to Fowler.
Zola married Harvey Bynum on December 5, 1996 at the Pitkin Avenue Baptist Church in Fowler, Colorado. The newly wed couple then moved to Wellington, KS where they lived from December to July before returning to Fowler. Zola continued to live in her current house following Harvey’s death in 2000.
God and church were a very important part of Zola’s life. She loved to sing in the choir and had a beautiful soprano voice. For the past several years she enjoyed spending time with friends at the Sage Senior Center in Fowler for lunch, and various functions and services at Pitkin Avenue Baptist Church. She also attended other social events in the small towns along the valley. She loved family and friends and enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with friends whenever an occasion would arise.
Donations can be made to Pitkin Avenue Baptist Church, the Fowler Fire Department or any charity of your choice in Zola’s memory. Please make donations to the recipient and mail directly to the Griffy Family Funeral Home in Fowler.
