Obituary for Valerie Bullock
Valerie Ann Bullock (nee Pinkney) was born on July 25, 1951 in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. She was the eldest child of the late James and Jacquelyn Trimm. She entered into eternity on July 2, 2022.
On August 6, 1977, Valerie wed the late Walter Lewis Bullock, III. They celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary immediately prior to his passing in 2021. They were the parents of Erika Bullock and Marcus (Nichole) Bullock and grandparents of Latrell, Jayla, and Malachi Bullock. She is also survived by her brother, Sherman (Octavia) Trimm; niece, Lauren Trimm; cousin, David (Caryn) Bryant; and a host of relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, E. H. and Catherine Bryant.
Valerie dedicated all of her time and resources to her family, particularly her children. As a mother, she was patient and loving while also holding high standards. She had a keen sense of ancestry and established commitment to family and legacy as a cornerstone of the home. She was exceedingly proud of Erika and Marcus for their accomplishments and for their character, and she made sure that everyone knew it. Valerie readily offered herself as a mother figure when she saw someone in need of a mother’s touch.
Valerie accepted Christ at an early age at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Arcola, Mississippi and was also active at St. James AME Church in Leland, Mississippi. In New Jersey, she was a faithful member of Friendship AME Church in Browns Mills and Mt. Pisgah AME Church at Lawnside. Upon moving to Pittsburgh, she joined Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, where she could be found greeting visitors on Sunday or helping in the office during the week.
In 1969, Valerie graduated from Simmons High School in Hollandale, Mississippi as the valedictorian. Her small class of 82 students remain close to this day. Classmates and friends remember her as “smart as a whip” and “so very sweet and kind.” She attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Rider University in New Jersey.
After college, Valerie worked as a chemist at FMC Corporation. After the birth of her first child, Erika, she worked in the home nurturing her children until both were old enough for school and daycare. Valerie returned to the workforce as a case manager in the welfare office in Pemberton Township, New Jersey, where she eventually became the Director of Public Assistance. In her last years with Pemberton Township, Valerie assumed the role of director of the senior citizen center. In this position, Valerie found a new passion: supporting senior citizens to live full, active, and dignified lives. Upon moving to the Pittsburgh area in 2001, Valerie continued to pursue this passion as a service coordinator and activity coordinator for the Lemington Residential Corporation and the Allegheny Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (AHRCO) in facilities such as the Lemington Senior Center, Eva P. Mitchell Residence, and, most recently, Bellefield Dwellings. Valerie saw her work as a calling to serve and she always went above and beyond to help as she could. She brought creativity, dedication, humor, and a smile to all she did and set a standard of service that was unmatched.
Valerie held fast to her faith through her illness and proclaimed her testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness in both good and challenging times. She maintained a reverence for God that gave her confidence and lived a life of integrity that gave her hope (Job 4:6).
In lieu of flowers, please donate to establish the Valerie A. Bullock Memorial Fund. This fund will help the staff at the Eva P. Mitchell Residences to provide additional activities and resources for senior residents. https://www.gofundme.com/f/vbullock-memorial-fund
On August 6, 1977, Valerie wed the late Walter Lewis Bullock, III. They celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary immediately prior to his passing in 2021. They were the parents of Erika Bullock and Marcus (Nichole) Bullock and grandparents of Latrell, Jayla, and Malachi Bullock. She is also survived by her brother, Sherman (Octavia) Trimm; niece, Lauren Trimm; cousin, David (Caryn) Bryant; and a host of relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, E. H. and Catherine Bryant.
Valerie dedicated all of her time and resources to her family, particularly her children. As a mother, she was patient and loving while also holding high standards. She had a keen sense of ancestry and established commitment to family and legacy as a cornerstone of the home. She was exceedingly proud of Erika and Marcus for their accomplishments and for their character, and she made sure that everyone knew it. Valerie readily offered herself as a mother figure when she saw someone in need of a mother’s touch.
Valerie accepted Christ at an early age at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Arcola, Mississippi and was also active at St. James AME Church in Leland, Mississippi. In New Jersey, she was a faithful member of Friendship AME Church in Browns Mills and Mt. Pisgah AME Church at Lawnside. Upon moving to Pittsburgh, she joined Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, where she could be found greeting visitors on Sunday or helping in the office during the week.
In 1969, Valerie graduated from Simmons High School in Hollandale, Mississippi as the valedictorian. Her small class of 82 students remain close to this day. Classmates and friends remember her as “smart as a whip” and “so very sweet and kind.” She attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Rider University in New Jersey.
After college, Valerie worked as a chemist at FMC Corporation. After the birth of her first child, Erika, she worked in the home nurturing her children until both were old enough for school and daycare. Valerie returned to the workforce as a case manager in the welfare office in Pemberton Township, New Jersey, where she eventually became the Director of Public Assistance. In her last years with Pemberton Township, Valerie assumed the role of director of the senior citizen center. In this position, Valerie found a new passion: supporting senior citizens to live full, active, and dignified lives. Upon moving to the Pittsburgh area in 2001, Valerie continued to pursue this passion as a service coordinator and activity coordinator for the Lemington Residential Corporation and the Allegheny Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (AHRCO) in facilities such as the Lemington Senior Center, Eva P. Mitchell Residence, and, most recently, Bellefield Dwellings. Valerie saw her work as a calling to serve and she always went above and beyond to help as she could. She brought creativity, dedication, humor, and a smile to all she did and set a standard of service that was unmatched.
Valerie held fast to her faith through her illness and proclaimed her testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness in both good and challenging times. She maintained a reverence for God that gave her confidence and lived a life of integrity that gave her hope (Job 4:6).
In lieu of flowers, please donate to establish the Valerie A. Bullock Memorial Fund. This fund will help the staff at the Eva P. Mitchell Residences to provide additional activities and resources for senior residents. https://www.gofundme.com/f/vbullock-memorial-fund