Bobbie Sue (Ireland) Pulliam of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Monday, November 6, 2023, at the age of 80. She was born July 15, 1943, in Newport, Arkansas.
Bobbie grew up in both Beedeville and Newport. She was a 1961 graduate of Newport High School. On April 5, 1963, Miss Bobbie Sue Ireland married Mr. Shelly Gray Pulliam and together they spent 45 years, raising their children in a loving, Christian home and being active and devoted members of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ.
Known by many as “Miss Bobbie” she spent many years caring for children in her home. The children always loved her and she loved them in return.
Bobbie was a consummate homemaker and held a license in Interior Design and worked as a Real Estate agent.
Bobbie loved the outdoors, she enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening. She also enjoyed cooking and canning the vegetables she grew herself. Bobbie thoroughly enjoyed yard sales, flea marketing, and loved fishing.
She was a faithful and devoted member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ, where she taught the 2-year-old class for over 30 years. She was also a member of the Caring Sisters. She volunteered her time at Camp Takhodah and worked with the Paragould Children’s Home, caring for clothing for the children.
Bobbie will be forever remembered for her love of children, making people comfortable and her welcoming spirit.
Mrs. Pulliam was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Shelly Gray Pulliam; her father, F.A. “Frank” Ireland; her mother, Ida (Lambert) Buchanan; her step-mother, Arlene Ireland; two half-brothers, Jerry and Denver Ireland; one half-sister, Jean Willard.
She is survived by one son, Jon Pulliam of Conway; one daughter, Cindy Gates and husband, Freddy of Newport; one grandchild, Grey Pulliam; one sister, Linda Dunham of Weiner; three half-brothers, Jeffrey W. Ireland of Girard, Pennsylvania, Roger Birdsong of Newport, and Phil Birdsong of Jackson County; one brother-in-law, Randale Willard; one sister-in-law, Deloris Honey of Algoa; her special friend, Alfred Couch of Newport; close friend, Maude Hinkle of Newport; her loving caregivers, Verneal Hodge, Lynn Clinkscales, Jeanette Flowers, Linda Eskew, and Rhonda Cantrell; several nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit at the funeral home, Friday, November 10, 2023, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 11, at Holden Avenue Church of Christ, with Mr. Ryan Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Balch-Johnston Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are David Churchman, R.M. Bledsoe, Jason Tubbs, Bryce Shelton, Tommy Lewis, and Perry Stegall. Honorary pallbearers are Eddie Green, John Chronister, David Howard, Justin Rutledge, Stan McKee, Roger Green, Mike Farrah, Marcus Dodson, and Michael Honey.
Memorials may be made to The Caring Sisters of Holden Avenue Church of Christ, 1200 Holden Avenue, Newport, AR 72112, or the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.
