Caryl Ann Cullom

Caryl Ann James Cullom was born on June 13, 1934, in Miami, Florida to Dr. Glenn Clawson James and Gladys Bruce James. Caryl grew up in Miami where her father was the minister of the White Temple Methodist Church. She attended Miami Edison High School and Florida State University where she became a Kappa Alpha Theta and majored in Elementary Education. Her Theta friends became her lifelong buddies. She was introduced to William O. Cullom by her mother at Sunday school at Trinity United Methodist Church. They were married on May 26, 1956, in her junior year of college. After graduation Caryl taught 3rd and 5th grade Kate Sullivan Elementary School in Tallahassee.

Caryl loved being the mom of two daughters. In 1966, the family moved to Miami where Caryl volunteered with the Junior League, Beaux Arts, Kendall United Methodist and Westminster Christian School. A lifelong presence in her life was being a member of the PEO Sisterhood. She was active in Tallahassee, Miami, and helped start two chapters in Burnsville NC.

Another constant in her life was going to Burnsville NC every summer. Her family built a cabin in Cattail Creek in 1937. In 1973, she and Bill purchased a farm near Murchison and Elk Fork Farm became a lifelong dream for them. Riding horses, clogging at Mountain Wilderness, and shopping at David’s Limited were some of the highlights! They retired to the farm in 2003, and she became involved in the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation and the Parkway Playhouse.

In those 21 years of living at their favorite place on earth, they built a chapel on the hill of the farm and helped raise their grandchildren to love the mountains and creeks like they did. In 2020, they dealt with the death of their grandson Marshall and in 2024 they survived Hurricane Helene and were evacuated by ATVs from their beloved farm at ages 90 and 92. They moved to a lovely apartment in Winston Salem with their girls nearby, but they missed the farm, Burnsville, and their friends every day.

Caryl was funny and sweet and had a smile for everyone. She would talk to anybody about anything. She loved to study about Jesus’ life and have discussions on religion. She lit up any room she came into and will be missed terribly by her friends and family.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, sister Jean Vaught, sister-in law Marjorie Snell, and grandson, Marshall Stewart. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Bill Cullom; her daughter Cheryl Stewart (Edward); daughter Jennifer Barksdale (David); grandchildren Hallie Barksdale, Emma James Barksdale (Stefan Kinnin), Parker Stewart (Anna Ottum), great grandson Grey Ottum Stewart, Dustin Stewart (Rosemary) and great grandchildren Lane and Grant Stewart. She is also survived by her beloved nieces Juliana Larson, Kathy Brett and Juanita Morgan.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Harmony at Brookberry Farm, Senior Helpers, and Trellis.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Burnsville NC. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Pensacola United Methodist Church. (Pensacola UMC, PO Box 794, Burnsville NC 28714).