Irene Smythe-Bullock with her oldest son Waymon Smythe
By Dan Murphy
Happy 100th Birthday to Irene Smythe-Bullock, who celebrated the milestone with friends and family, including 81 grandchildren. One of Irene’s great grandchildren is Andre Rainey, the former Mayor of Peekskill.
Rainey writes, “On Saturday, we celebrated the 100th birthday of my great-grandmother, Irene Bullock. The event was attended by several elected officials and County Executive George Latimer, State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, State Senator Pete Harckham, NYS Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg, and Mayor McKenzie, all delivered proclamations in her honor. County Executive George Latimer has designated January 25th as Irene Bullock Day. Over 65 relatives from different states came to join in this special celebration.
“Irene Bullock, with 81 grandchildren, is still active and vibrant. Reverend Gary Colter of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Peekskill also acknowledged her during Sunday’s church service,” writes Mayor Rainey.
The proclamations given the Irene Smythe-Bullock include:
Irene Wilson was born in Petersburg, Tennessee, on January 25, 1924. When she was 21 years old, Irene Wilson married John Buchanan Smythe, moving to Louisville, Kentucky, to start their new life together; the couple were blessed with seven children: Waymon, Mary, Joel (David), Barbara, identical twin boys, Jerry and Terry, and Windell; and
WHEREAS, When Windell was approximately five years old, the family of nine moved to Shrub Oak, New York, and subsequently relocated to Peekskill; after her divorce, Irene Smythe met Paul Bullock whom she married on July 4, 1965; four years later, her second husband’s three children, Paul, Jr., Evelyn, and Linda, joined the family; and
WHEREAS, As the children grew older and left home to start their own lives and families, Paul and Irene Bullock continued using their well-honed skills as parents and embraced foster care in their home; later, the couple decided to purchase a large parcel of land in nearby Garrison, New York; this property, lovingly dubbed “The Garrison Estate,” served as the optimum place to host family gatherings for birthdays, holidays, and other memorable occasions; and
WHEREAS, Paul and Irene Bullock worked hard and attended school to obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive semi-trucks, later becoming owner-operators of their own trucks; this occupation allowed the couple to travel the country together; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, along with other members of their family, Paul and Irene Bullock moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where the seasoned foster parents continued to care for children and work in group homes; the State of Arizona presented them with an award, recognizing their contributions and dedication to the enrichment of foster children’s lives; and
WHEREAS, On May 13, 2015, Irene Bullock tragically lost her husband of almost 50 years; some time after her loss, she returned to Peekskill where she resides with her daughter, Mary; and
WHEREAS, To this day, Irene Smythe-Bullock is still quite independent; she enjoys shopping at thrift stores, sewing, taking car trips, traveling to visit her great-granddaughter and her family in Virginia and her grandson and his family in Florida, and spending time with her son, Windell, and her daughter, Linda, who reside in Peekskill; making cherished memories with her great-great-grandchildren is her favorite pastime; and
WHEREAS, Known for doing all the good that she can for others, Irene Smythe-Bullock has been dearly cherished; she will be long-remembered for the joy and happiness she has striven to share with family, friends, and all those whom she has met during her long, full life; and
WHEREAS, Irene Smythe-Bullock, with her zest for life, has inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends.
And you have inspired all of our readers too! Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
