From: Debbie Sanders
Our cherished mother, Jacqueline Lea Bullard, 82, passed from this life at her home near El Dorado Springs, Missouri, on Friday, May 28, 2021. Jackie was born on January 24, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska. Her parents were Ruth E. Corey and Leon C. Corey.
Jackie spent her early life in Omaha, Nebraska, where she was raised by her mother Ruth and her much beloved grandmother, Mary H. Saunders. Her grandmother was very influential in her life and instrumental in sharing with her the love of Jesus and planting the seeds that would make her the devoted mother that she would become.
Living through the closing years of the Great Depression and the rationing years of World War II helped to prepare Jackie for the economic challenges of raising a large family later in life. This was also foundational in her living a life of contentment —always satisfied with basic necessities in life.
Her mother and stepfather moved the family to Wichita, Kansas, when Jackie was ten years old. Being big sister to Diane (Dee) would occupy much of the next phase of her life. The sisters’ relationship was enhanced by their mutual love of music. After Jackie got her driver’s license, she and Dee would go together for their music lessons. Jackie was studying organ, and Dee was learning to play the piano. Besides enjoying the time with their teacher (a dear sister in the Church), Jackie and Dee would almost always stop on the way home at a nearby Mugs Up and get a root beer. This was a real treat for them. Saturday mornings were often spent practicing organ and piano duets at the RLDS Central Branch in Wichita, where they were members. Jackie eventually became the children’s choir director at church, and she enlisted Dee to be the accompanist. Again, it was another opportunity for two sisters—separated by ten years—to work as one.
After high school graduation in Wichita, Jackie entered nursing school and became an LPN. She worked at St. Francis and Westley Hospitals in Wichita until the family moved to Missouri. They located near the small town of Fair Play, and Jackie continued her career at the nursing home in Bolivar. She also worked at home on her parents’ dairy farm. Her love for the outdoors and country life blossomed as a result of this time working on the farm.
It was at the church in Humansville, Missouri, that Jackie met her future husband, Don Bullard, Sr. Don was an answer to her prayer for a loving companion. Don and Jackie were married August 2, 1968, and enjoyed serving the Lord together, both in the local church and through Don’s missionary work to the Native Americans. Don truly was the love of Jackie’s life.
Raising a godly family was one of their desires. Family life for them started in a humble cabin on the banks of Bear Creek, near Stockton, Missouri. After having to row oldest son John to the bus stop because of flooding and Jackie’s fear of the younger boys being washed away by rising waters, they decided to move the family of seven from Stockton to El Dorado Springs, Missouri. Three more children were born in El Dorado Springs, bringing the total number of children to eight.
After hearing about a private Christian school in Bates City, Missouri, Don felt directed to move once again so that the children could be taught godly principles along with academic subjects. The family lived and worked near the school in the Country Storehouse community until 1988. At that time, they all worked together and built a house on TT highway. Throughout this period, Jackie continued working as a nurse, focusing primarily on geriatric care.
Aside from her salvation through Christ Jesus, Jackie’s husband Don was the greatest blessing in her life; thus, his passing was her greatest sorrow. Despite this grief, she was able to endure and continue serving the Lord and her family. She knew well the peace that only the Holy Spirit can give.
The passing years brought a new joy to Jackie’s life as she became a grandmother. Of all her accomplishments, the title of “Granny Jackie” brought her the most delight. The interests of the grandchildren were important to her, and all the children soon found they had an eager listening ear to both their triumphs and their troubles.
In her final years, she was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Oak Grove, Missouri, where she led a small group study and prayer circle. She enjoyed worshiping there with some of her children and grandchildren.
It was one of Jackie’s desires to move back to southern Missouri where she and Don started their life together. This dream became a reality in April of 2021, when her son Mike built her a little cabin on his farm near El Dorado Springs. She loved sitting on her porch, watching the cows and all the world of nature around her.
Jackie was the epitome of endurance; she was selfless; she was caring. She lived a life focused more on the needs of others than on her own. When she was no longer physically able to serve others as she desired, prayer became her tool of service. Throughout her life, she demonstrated this truth: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.”
Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth (Corey) Jessen and Leon Corey; her husband, Don Bullard, Sr.; her sons, Timothy (stillborn) and Andrew M. Bullard; her stepson, Donald Bullard, Jr.
She is survived by her sister, Diane Anderson Ludy (Paul); and her children: John Bullard III of Thornton, CO; Dawn Bullard-Robinett (Steve) of Stockton, MO; Joseph Bullard of Oak Grove, MO; Jared Bullard (Christi) of Lee’s Summit, MO; Mike Bullard (Sandy) of El Dorado Springs, MO; Rebekah Beal (Matthew) of Bates City, MO; and Deborah Sanders (Robert) of Bates City, MO. Along with her natural born children, she is survived by her husband’s children who became her much loved friends: John Bullard, Sr. (Barbara) of Independence, MO; Judy Cantrell (Joe) of Springfield, MO; and Kay Mader (John) of Lee’s Summit, MO. Through her children and her marriage to Don, she became grandma to 43 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and even several great-great-grandchildren.
The family appreciates the love and prayers that have been extended. Because of Jackie's desires and general temperament the family has decided that there will be no public service.
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