Carol Tillman Bullins

Marie Carol Tillman Bullins, age 83, passed away peacefully at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro on Monday, April 13, 2026.

Carol was born on December 15, 1942, in Asheboro, North Carolina, to the late Horace Hubbard Tillman and Evelyn Lovell Tillman. She was predeceased in death by her brother, John S. Tillman, and her sister-in-law, Judy B. Morgan.

At the center of Carol’s life was her devoted husband, Jerry Lee Bullins. Together for almost seven decades, they built a foundation of mutual support, shared history, and abiding love. Jerry will greatly miss her and the companionship they shared through every season of their life together.

Carol remained a loyal friend throughout her entire life. With her closest friends, there were thousands of experiences too numerous to mention, yet none were as grand as their yearly international traveling adventures that spanned over 20 years. These trips created countless stories shared widely, and others sworn to never be told again. Sharing a beach house in Ocean Isle with dear friends for many years also brought much joy and laughter to Carol.

For many years, she shared almost nightly phone calls checking in with two childhood friends who had long since moved away, but with whom the bonds of friendship never faded. A proud graduate of Asheboro High School, Class of 1961, Carol took great joy in serving on the reunion committee, where her monthly luncheons weren't just about planning events, they were about maintaining lifelong bonds. Her social calendar was further anchored by her cherished monthly birthday lunches, a tradition where her loyalty, spirit, and trademark dry sense of humor were always on full display.

A woman of quiet dedication and service, Carol was a longtime member of Asheboro Friends Meeting, where her family worshiped for many years. She served as treasurer, offering her time to support the life of the congregation and its mission. While she lived fully in the present with her friends, genealogy remained her greatest hobby. Driven by a deep curiosity and a desire to find the connections between people, she spent countless hours in archives and databases meticulously documenting her family’s story.

But by far, nothing meant more to her than being “Mims.” Her granddaughter, Evelyn Rose Duprey, was the absolute light of her life. Whether sharing family history or simply enjoying each other's company, Mims poured a lifetime of love into Evelyn, ensuring that the newest branch of the family tree was the strongest one yet.

In addition to her husband, Jerry, Carol is survived by her children, Holly Bullins (John Archer) and Ginny Bullins (Brian Duprey); her granddaughter, Evelyn Rose Duprey; her sister, Joan Tillman Hacke (Harold Hacke), and her beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Friday, April 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Pat Thames officiating. The family will receive friends following the service from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Pinewood Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.