Mary Jo Posey Bullock, born on April 10, 1925, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2018 as her brother, five sisters and parents welcomed her Home. She was the youngest of six beautiful Posey sisters. Many people loved her and her kindness.
She was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Ed and Annie Posey, the youngest child of seven. In the early 1940’s they moved to Napa, California. Mary Jo married Bob Bullock on March 17, 1951 and they moved to Falls Church in 1959. Three children were born during their marriage – Owen, Diann, and Bobby – and they all went to Falls Church City schools. She lived in the same house on Madison Lane until 2000 when she sold it to Diann and moved to Park Towers. During her time on Madison Lane there was only one family that lived directly behind her on Parker Street – the Allans. Son Ron has said she was always so attentive to their family, which included father Frank, mother Peggy, sons Mike, Kevin, Russ, and Jeff, and daughters Kathy and Melanie.
Her best friend after moving to Falls Church became Genelda Johnson, who lived across the street with her husband Horace and her children Sandy, Andy and Nelda. They were so close that Nelda called her “Aunt Jo.” She wrote the following: “Aunt Jo was always there for me and mine. She was a true friend who had a caring heart, listening ear and kind words. I thought she had one of the most beautiful smiles and loved to hear her and Mom laugh together. She always made time for me and my sons. Always. Aunt Jo was a faithful friend to Mom throughout their lives, in good times and bad. I remember when Daddy died and Aunt Jo was in California. She called to talk to Mom, only Mom was out running errands so I talked with Aunt Jo instead. She was so broken up about his death, wishing she could be there for Mom. Aunt Jo loved her friends. She loved her family, and her children and grandchildren more than anything. Y’all were her heart’s treasures. I have missed her and will miss her still, but look forward to seeing her again in Heaven.”
Another friend said she was so sorry to hear about her passing, that she was a wonderful, caring, strong, and sweet woman. The friend thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent with her and knows she will be missed by everyone she interacted with. She’s grateful to the generosity she showed her and will treasure her memories of her.
She worked as a Budget Analyst for Headquarters Marine Corps at the Navy Annex in Arlington, from where she retired in August 1985. She enjoyed sewing, painting, her grandchildren, and duckpin bowling, from which she received a trophy for Last Place in the 1971-1972 season.
Family gathered for a graveside goodbye at National Memorial Cemetery on Tuesday, May 15, with a prayer spoken by grandson Daniel and memories shared by son Bobby, grandson Zachary, and granddaughter Mallory. She is survived by them, as well as her daughter Diann and Daniel’s wife Leanne.
Bullock’s family will cherish the memories of the happy times. She is now healthy and happy again. The hardest thing is to lose someone before they actually go. She is in a much better place than the hell of Alzheimer’s disease.
If anyone would like to make a memorial donation, please do so on Diann’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s page at act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=11116&pg=personal&px=8220148.
