Judy Carol Bynum

Judy Carol Bynum, 77, of Temple, Texas, passed away peacefully on Nov. 29, 2021. Judy was born in Burdette on Feb. 13, 1944, to Jean Kelly and Joe Bill Roark. She graduated from Luxora High School in Luxora in 1962. Judy was an accomplished basketball player and all around good athlete in her high school days. Judy married the love of her life, Jerry Bynum, on Oct. 24, 1963. They were married for 47 years, until his death in 2010. She spent her early married years in northeast Arkansas working for various companies including Randall Corporation, American Greetings and ER Moore Company. She and Jerry moved to Temple, Texas, in 1981. She spent the majority of her career in Texas working as environmental supervisor at Park Place Manor Nursing Center, in Belton, Texas. Together, she and Jerry had two sons, Michael and Jason. Judy was an avid supporter of her kid’s sport teams as they grew up. She also loved her Arkansas Razorbacks even though she got mad at them most of the time. Judy retired in 2008. One of Judy’s biggest accomplishments was being a breast cancer survivor.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; sisters Shirley Lapa and Billie Jean Roark; brothers, Jimmy Connell and Homer G. Connell; parents, Homer and Jean Connell; parents Joe Bill and Virginia Roark. She was also preceded in death by Trotty Roark, her paternal grandmother, whom she considered the biggest angel on earth. Judy was raised by Trotty throughout her elementary and formative years.

Judy is survived by her sons, Michael Bynum, and wife Diane, of Ft. Worth, Texas, Jason Bynum, and wife Michelle, of Paradise, Texas; grandchildren, Dalton Bynum, and wife Kathryn; Katy Bynum Wilhelm, and husband Jonathan; grandsons Brady Bynum, Corey Bynum, and wife Makenzie; great-grandson Stephen Michael Wilhelm; sister, Janet Sawyer, and husband Jim, of Olive Branch, Miss.; sister, Joann Baszkiewicz and husband, Ed of Boston Ma.; brother, Richard Connell, and wife Cindy, of Blytheville; brother, Ronnie Connell, and wife, Beth, of Blytheville; sister, Vanessa Chun, and husband Tracy, of Victoria.

The family wishes to thank the staff and administration of Park Place Manor Nursing Home for the wonderful care provided during the last year. Judy had great times and even better care at Park Place. Her entire team of nurses and caregivers were outstanding. Also, the family would like to thank Kindred Hospice for their care during the last year. A special thank you to Gale Grant with Kindred for her professionalism, sincerity, compassion and most of all her friendship with Judy.

Celebration of Life Memorial will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, at Scanio Harper Funeral Home at 11 a.m. with Bishop Ron Tillman officiating. All are welcome and casual attire is considered appropriate. In lieu of flowers, the family ask for donations to a cancer charity of your choice in Judy’s name.