Minerva Bullock

Minerva Hoffman Bullock passed away on March 17, 2020 with her loving daughter close by her side. She was born in Freeland, Pennsylvania in 1937 and was the only child of Clarence and Louise Hoffman who loved, adored and cherished her.

In 1941, her family moved to Flemington, New Jersey when she was 4 years old. She was involved in the band playing the clarinet, honor society, choir school, Sunday school, church, she played on the school basketball team and had a lifelong best friend, Shirley. She was baptized and confirmed in the St. John’s Reformed Church in Freeland, Pennsylvania.

She was a graduate of Flemington High School Class of 1955 and belonged to the Flemington Children's Choir School, which was a training school for junior choirs of various Flemington churches. A nationally known institution, it was respected and recognized for its religious musical programs, continuing in operation until the last graduation class of 1958. She was engaged to David Gary Bullock at the Senior Ball in 1955 and they were married on August 4, 1956 at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Flemington. They resided in Flemington for a short time until 1957 when they moved to the small, quaint town of Neshanic Station, New Jersey where they made their family home and raised four children. In 1983 they moved to Davidson, North Carolina forging a new path and new journey for their life and retirement years.

Following in her parent’s footsteps, Minerva joined New Jersey’s Darcy Chapter #138, of The Order of Eastern Star in 1957. Through the years she has held many offices including Chaplin, and Electa which she loved the best. She served as the Grand Chapter of NJ Emblem Bearer for the Electa Cup circa 1980 and as Worthy Matron in 1982-83 with her husband, David, by her side as Worthy Patron. Upon moving to North Carolina, she joined the Davidson Chapter, which merged with Mecklenburg Chapter #90, which further merged with Long Creek Chapter #151 where she most recently held the office of Associate Matron. She was presented with her 50 year pin in 2007 and 60 year pin in 2017. She has remained faithful, supportive and active with the organization and her chapter ever since she was initiated. The rituals, words, lessons, meanings and sisterhood have provided her support and guidance throughout her entire life.

Along with her husband, she was a long-time member of the national organization of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club from the early 1960’s to present day. She was also a member of the HET Dogwood Chapter of North Carolina. They spent many family adventures together traveling to car shows all across the country in one of their Hudson automobiles and made many life-long friends. During their retirement years, they spent many days traveling in their GMC Greyhound bus which they self-converted into a motor home and belonged to the Converted Coach Chapter, Busnuts, and Dixie Traveliers.

Her deep, strong faith, belonging to Mt Zion UMC in Cornelius and church family were very important to her as well as being a part of the Prayer Shawl Group. During her time with the Prayer Shawl group she contributed approximately 18 shawls, 26 baby blankets, and 390 crocheted cross bookmarks. All her life she has held one scripture from Bible very close to her heart, which she has repeated many, many times to sustain her in both goods times and bad. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. Lean not into thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy path.”

Minerva loved being a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all she came in contact with and continuously had a smile on her face and always seemed to radiate joy. She knew how to make a house a home, she was a wonderful cook, enjoyed all kinds of crafts and hobbies, she was creative and artistic but most of all, she loved flowers. She would often tell of memories she had as a young child picking flowers with her grandmother or parents or helping in the gardens. From that very young age, her love of flowers grew more and more with each passing year and sustained her all her life. Most every day, she would spend time in her gardens and throughout the whole year there always seemed to be something blooming. She would take or give flowers to every place she went or to everyone she came in contact with. Flowers to her are like the air that we all breathe - -they were her love, passion, inspiration and lifeline. They brought her happiness, peace, serenity and closer to God. One of her favorite plants to share was the Confederate Rose Bush, and she became well known for giving “sticks” to anyone who was interested. Minerva created quite a legacy for herself and it is no wonder she has also become well known as “The Flower Lady,” and will long be remembered for her ministry of flowers.

Minerva was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Louise Hoffman, her husband, David, and son Peter. Left to cherish her memory is her “Joy” and loving daughter, Karen of Davidson, North Carolina, son, Richard and wife, Joann of Neshanic Station, New Jersey, daughter in law, Allison of Statesville, North Carolina, as well as her four grandchildren: Stephanie (Justin) and Molly of New Jersey, David and Thomas of North Carolina. She also has one son, Gary, who forever remained very close in her heart but who chose to step away from his family and friends for reasons unknown.

A small, intimate gathering of family and close friends was held on Saturday, March 21st for a graveside burial at Mimosa Cemetery in North Carolina, with an anticipated memorial service to celebrate her amazing life at Mt Zion UMC in Cornelius NC at a future date yet to be determined.

In honor of the “Flower Lady” who so willingly, generously and caringly gave flowers to everyone she came in contact with, the family respectively asks, in lieu of flowers, that donations may be made to a charity of your choice, or a donation to Mt Zion UMC (19600 Zion Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031), or Mt Zion UMC Prayer Shawl Ministry.

James Funeral Home of Huntersville NC is serving the family. They can be reached at www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.