Gay Elizabeth Simmons Bumgarner, age 102, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Hibriten Mountain Care Center in Lenoir, NC.

She was born April 30, 1923 in Hazard, Kentucky to Ernest Simmons and Elizabeth Marcum Simmons.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Bumgarner; two daughters, Ann Greene and Willa Dean Byrd; a grandson, Darren Coffey; a great grandchild, Kenley Bumgarner and twelve siblings.

She is survived by her son, Gary Bumgarner (Janice); a son in law, Worth Greene; seven grandchildren, Cheryl Beaty (Kem), Barbara Oliver, Joey Greene (Beth), Lisa Coffey, Crissy Tucker, Ken Bumgarner (Wendy) and Scott Bumgarner (Wendy); 16 great grandchildren; nine great great grandchildren and three great great great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 27 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Greer-McElveen Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Gentry officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Her family wishes to thank the staff at Hibriten Mountain Care Center for their excellent care.

Memorials can be made to Amorem Hospice at 902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC  28645.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Bumgarner family.