Patsy King Salmon

APEX – Patsy King Salmon, 90, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023, at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Wake County on January 8, 1933, the daughter of the late Sion Edgar and Patsy Holden King. In addition to her parents, Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Battle Salmon; sister, Emma Louise Carr; and her brothers, Herman E. King, Bernice E. King, Walter A. King, Curtis D. King, and Lumey King.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Ann Salmon Bullock; grandsons, Benjamin C. Bullock and wife, Bethany T. Bullock, and Quinton S. Bullock and wife, Kori S. Bullock; great-grandchildren, Henry G. Bullock and Adeline P. Bullock; her niece and nephews whom she considered like her own, Rose Auteri, Donald Wayne Auteri, and Don Auteri; great nieces and nephews Kristy Auteri, Deanna Marshall, Bubba Auteri, Shawn Auteri; a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family; and fur-babies, Yeti, Olive, and Vash.

Funeral services will be at Noon on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Calvary Raleigh Church, with visitation before the service from 11:00 AM-11:45 AM. The burial will follow the funeral at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens, Raleigh.

Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions made in Patsy’s memory to Calvary Raleigh Church: 7900 Ten-Ten Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Garner. Online condolences may be made on Patsy's Tribute Wall by visiting www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com.

“To the world, you are a mother, but to your family, you are the world.” —Unknown

Patsy King Salmon, a Wake County native of 90 years. Patsy Ann to most, Mom or Mama to me, and her favorite name, Granny. As the baby of seven siblings, I recall her telling stories of growing up in Raleigh going to Thomson Elementary School and walking after school to buy candy for a penny. She would tell us about her days of learning to drive in a T-Model Ford and driving her Daddy on back roads to their fruit stand in Louisburg, long before she was old enough to have a license. As a young adult she loved to go dancing at Archer’s Lodge. She and her niece Marie would double date. Mom loved to tell how they never drank a drop of alcohol, but always had more fun than anyone there.

Mom and I lived together my entire life, me with her or her with me. We have always been together. She was such a wonderful provider and my biggest supporter growing up. From making my cheerleading outfit, or buying those “got to have” boots that didn’t fit my skinny legs, to calming my fears when thunderstorms rolled through, she always did everything possible and loved me through things. Even as an adult she supported me through life’s storms. She was always there to talk and tell me things were going to be ok.

Mom made a career in retail sales, starting her first job at JC Penney and coming back there years later after caring for my Dad when he was sick with emphysema. After my Dad passed away, Mom worked at Roses Department Store, full time as a checkout supervisor, later returning to JC Penney in Cameron Village in the ladies dress department where she was always the top salesperson.

Not only did we have a strong bond as mother and daughter but she had a very special relationship with both of her grandsons. When her first grandson Benjamin was born she retired to stay home with him so I could return to work. Of course, her manager pleaded with her to stay, even offering to put a pack-n-play in the fitting room. She continued her labor of love when Quinton was born. She loved her two grandsons so much, they were her world. She loved the everyday moments like driving them to school, field trips, or visiting for lunches in the cafeteria. During the summer, she was at vacation bible school and passing out the snacks on those hot summer days – where she may, or may not have set aside a few extras for her boys. She took them to the library, to appointments and practices and loved every minute, even long carpool lines. Weekends were no different, she was right there, from early morning soccer games or sitting in a Jellybeans parking lot with me waiting to pick them up. She was there for every college move in day, but even more excited when it was time to pack up and bring them home for the summer.

I’m so thankful for the huge role that she had in their lives, and so thankful she was there for so many of their milestones. First steps, first time riding a bike to first cars, graduations, first jobs, getting married and starting their own families. They loved their Granny, she was like another mom to both of them and she was fiercely protective of her boys. When they both married, Bethany and Kori were so special to her, she loved them like her own. She just didn’t want to see them play “punch buggy, no punch back”, that was definitely not allowed. And then there was her love for Henry, her sweet precious great grandson. I’m so thankful she was there to hold him in the hospital, and to celebrate his coming home. She saw his first steps, felt his warm hugs, heard his sweet voice sing, and best of all to hear him call her Granny. A few years later, she also got to hold our precious Adeline, feeling her tiny fingers around hers. She loved the surprise visits when Quinton would bring a Bojangles biscuit. She danced in the crisp fall air with Quinton and Kori at their beautiful wedding, and even closer to the end, she was able to make the trip to their first home for Thanksgiving.

There have been so many incredible memories made together as a family. Some of her favorite trips were the Grand Canyon, which was her first time flying, trips to Atlantis where she first needed a passport, many trips to Disney where we mostly drove but finally convinced her to fly, and Florida trips with alligators all around us in the Everglades. Benjamin twice took her to Cherokee for day trips on her birthday, where she was a big winner, cashing in her $100 voucher from the two-cent machine. And many trips to our beaches and mountains. She always loved the family beach trips but managed to wrap up in a blanket or towel each time. Mom always loved walking along the water’s edge picking up her favorite shells, the little pointy ones. While she never tried snow skiing, she always went with us and held the table in the lodge ready with snacks when we came in.

And family, while we are not big, we are mighty with our love for one another. My Mom was close to all of her siblings and their children, but her sister’s family were like her own, like the siblings I didn’t have. All our holidays and birthdays were spent together as long as I can remember. Rose would call us the three musketeers, when we took our road trips to the mountains and spent days in our pajamas. I’m so thankful for her last Christmas when we were all together.

Mom, they say grief is the price of love. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced to see you suffer over the past five years. Losing your eyesight and the challenges that came with the cancer seemed unbearable at times. But mom, you were strong, you kept going and doing everything you could. The past few years brought added challenges, but being home with you and finding ways to do things together, we made it work. I already miss our meals in the car and the blankets for our laps, that we called our “table cloths.” For me the grieving started years ago, because so much has changed, but that’s a small price to pay for the lifetime of love that you have given us. As the days grew more quiet, I’ve struggled to understand why you had to endure such a hardship. I’m not capable of understanding why it was this way, but I know you are in God’s presence free of worry, upset and suffering. And I know by faith we will be together again one day.

“A life with love is a life that has been lived…you were an angel in the shape of my mom…spread your wings as you go…When God takes you back He’ll say Hallelujah you’re home.” – Ed Sheeran

Thank you, Mom, for always loving us. We will always love you, love you, love you.