Ninth Generation

19472. Rosa Violet Bullens was born on 27 November 1917 in Rockcastle Co., KY. Rosa died on 28 May 2010 at the age of 92 in Troy, Miami Co., OH and was buried at Maple Hill Cemetery in Tipp City, Miami Co., OH on 1 June 2010.

On November 27, 1917, Jesse J. and Flora M. Bullens, of Rock Castle County, Kentucky, welcomed a fourth daughter into their family. They named her Rosa Violet Bullens but she was Violet to family and friends. In 1936, Violet married Joseph Wright from Tipp City, Ohio and shortly after she moved to Tipp City where they made their home and joined the First Baptist Church. During their marriage they always lived in the Troy-Tipp City area. In 1961 they moved their church membership to the Troy First Baptist Church. Joseph died May 22, 1998.

For the last four years Violet has lived at the Troy Sterling House and Koester Pavilion. She enjoyed her life in both places and called them "home". She was under Hospice care twice.

On Friday, May 28, 2010, Violet, age 92, took the hand of her Savior and entered eternity. Waiting to greet her was Joseph, her beloved husband of over 61 years and her son-in-law of nearly 42 years, Robert Joe Blumenstock.

Violet was also preceded in death by her parents, her step-mother, Lula Powell Bullens, mother-in-law, Alma Wright, three older sisters Mabel Howard, Beulah Clem, Doris Hacker, three younger brothers Harold, Jesse Jr., and Boyd Bullens as well as several nieces and nephews.

We spoke of her death, now we will celebrate her life. When Violet was in her early teens, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized into the First Christian Church in Berea, Kentucky. Violet loved to tell others of God's love shown to mankind by sending His Son Jesus Christ for our salvation. She endeavored to live daily as a witness to that love. She believed in prayer and read her Bible daily. She got joy by including hand-made crosses in greeting cards to family and friends along with a copy of the poem "The Cross In My Pocket". For many years Violet started her day listening to the radio program from Cadle's Tabernacle in Indianapolis while preparing breakfast for her family.

Violet was active in church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, was a Guild Girls leader, was active in Women's Missionary Society, Women's Sewing Day, Sunshine Committee, helped prepare funeral meals, and served on Visitation teams. She and her husband served as Youth Advisors. Outside of church, she and Joseph enjoyed camping, fishing, star gazing through telescopes Joseph built and traveling. Violet volunteered in the Stouder Hospital Auxiliary and she was always available when needed to help chaperone school field trips.

Violet was fond of butterflies. She loved working outdoors, planting her garden, harvesting the crops and canning the food for her family. Violet loved raising chickens and flowers. She always had many colors of African violets blooming in her home. She was a patriot and always looked forward to voting at elections. She was always one to lend a helping hand. Violet was especially drawn to charities for helping children. Violet and Joseph loved children and opened their hearts and home to 39 foster children. Violet had a favorite expression to show surprise and happiness when unexpected guests would stop in to visit. She would greet them with a smile asking, "Well what are you doing here?" Her father always said the same thing.

Violet enjoyed making fruit breads and taking them as treats to shut-ins. Many people in Troy will remember her as the lady that brought them home-made peanut brittle at Christmastime.

Violet is survived by a half-sister, Nancy (Bullens) Rice and her husband Alvin of Kentucky, a special foster daughter Diane Gray (Mrs. Jeff Gray) of Piqua, several cousins, nephews and nieces.

Left to cherish her memory, Violet's immediate family consists of her daughters and son-in-law Peggy Jo and Ernst Grunewald of Watervliet, Michigan and Linda Blumenstock of Troy. Grandchildren are David and wife Cindy Blumenstock of Kettering; Jovilin Grunewald and husband Mark Tanner of Oak Harbor, Washington; Danield Blumenstock of Troy and Peggy J. Grunewald of Phoenix, Arizona-currently serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq. Violet's five great grandchildren are Andrew , Bethany, and Aaron Blumenstock of Kettering; Thomas and Katherine Tanner of Oak Harbor, Washington.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 1 from 5PM to 8PM at Baird Funeral Home, Troy. The funeral honoring Violet's life will be held at Troy First Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 2 at 2:00PM with Pastors Dale Christian and Douglas Magin officiating, burial following at Maple Hill Cemetery in Tipp City.

We all loved our Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother and will greatly miss her.
Friends may express condolences to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com

Rosa Violet Bullens and Joseph Wright were married on 29 December 1936. Joseph Wright was born on 11 June 1916 in Tipp City, Miami Co., OH. Joseph died on 22 May 1998 at the age of 81 in Troy, Miami Co., OH and was buried at Maple Hill Cemetery in Tipp City, Miami Co., OH.⁴⁶⁶⁸²