LaWanda Mae (Gordon) Bullock August 28, 1945 – March 8, 2025

LaWanda Mae Bullock was born on August 28, 1945, in Richmond, California, to Mildred Rose (Castleberry) Gordon Presley and Paul Lyle Gordon, Sr. Shortly after, her family moved to Comanche Oklahoma, where she spent most of her childhood.

From an early age, LaWanda was full of life, earning the nickname "Wendy" for her constant chatter. She adored her brothers—both as protectors and early tormentors—and loved movies, dances, and joyrides in her royal blue 1949 Ford. She often reminisced about summer trips to Coffeyville, Kansas, where she cherished time with her father and older brothers, drinking chocolate milkshakes at a small café and eating "the best chocolate pie ever." This would be the basis of a life long love affair with chocolate.

At 19, LaWanda committed her life to God. She said: “Jesus Christ redeemed me, wiped my slate clean, and gave a fresh start to a mixed-up 19-year-old girl.” That led her to Bible Missionary Institute in Rock Island, Illinois, where she pursued ministry despite financial uncertainty. Time and again, she stepped out in faith, trusting God to provide.

It was there, during her first year of college, that she met Rex Bullock. He was the son of the school’s president, and was determined to win her over. She wasn’t so sure at first, and competition for her affections was fierce, but over the next two years, he set out to impress her. Whether through his singing, his charm, or his thick head of hair, LaWanda eventually found herself falling for the boy who had decided, from the moment he met her, that she was the one. They married on June 8, 1967, in Duncan, Oklahoma, beginning a lifelong partnership built on faith and commitment. LaWanda was, in Rex’s words, "a champion if ever there was one—full throttle ahead, a lover of life and people, all out for Jesus and His Kingdom, 1000% all mom, dearest friend, and faithful companion."

Her faith was the foundation of her life. From the moment she felt called to ministry, she pursued it with focus, earning a degree in pastoral leadership and stepping into the calling of preacher. In the early years of their marriage, she and Rex traveled the country, with him singing and her speaking—sharing how God had transformed her life. She believed her story carried the power to heal others, so she told it, time and again.

Motherhood deepened her sense of calling. Their first child, Jonathan Rex, was born in 1969 in Rock Island, Illinois, followed by their daughter, Sherilyn LaRose, later that same year. 10 years later she welcomed the completion to their family, and youngest son,“Brittian.” LaWanda balanced ministry with motherhood, never losing sight of either. She supported Rex’s pastoral work while advocating for a collaborative role in their ministry. She believed in the importance of women in leadership and spent much of her life empowering others to step fully into their callings.

For more than 40 years, she helped plant churches, co-pastored multi-site congregations, worked with outreaches and missions, and took on behind-the-scenes tasks—typing appeal letters, stuffing envelopes, balancing the books. She showed up in every capacity. Whether as a caregiver, a front-row cheerleader during Rex’s sermons, or stepping into the pulpit herself, LaWanda never hesitated to do what was needed.

In her 60’s, LaWanda was asked to lead Women’s Ministry International, an organization focused on empowering women in faith. Though she often felt inadequate to the challenge, she met it head-on, traveling to 26 countries and sharing her story with honesty. She didn’t speak from a place of perfection but from her own experiences of struggle and faith, offering an authenticity that resonated deeply.

LaWanda had a gift for making people feel seen. She remembered every woman by name, keeping track of their families, their struggles, their joys. Whether in a conference hall or a quiet conversation, she greeted people with grace and gratitude, believing it to be her privilege that they had shared their lives with her. She was beloved by thousands worldwide, not just for what she taught, but for how she lived—with presence, compassion, and unwavering love.

LaWanda was a spiritual mother to many, but her immediate family felt her generosity most. She adored her children, their spouses, and grandchildren, as well as her brothers and their families. She showed up—not just in grand gestures, but in the quiet, consistent ways that mattered most. She was there at performances, games, graduations, and milestones, fully present and overflowing with pride.

She was a woman who took the time to keep the conversation going, even when you imagined it was done with. She was eager to listen, to know, to understand. She hoped to play games late into the night, to laugh, to create "happy memories." Love, for LaWanda, was felt in the warmth of a home-cooked meal, in the way she asked about people’s hearts with genuine care, in how she affirmed them as they were. She extended herself again and again, making sure those she loved knew their worth.

Even in her final hours, she was thinking of them—checking on their health, their rest, their needs. She loved them fiercely, and she loved them well. She offered an unambiguous kind of care.

LaWanda leaves behind a legacy of faith and love. She is survived by her children, Jonathan (Tyrome) Bullock of Portland, OR, Sherilyn (Allan) Lombos of Tualatin, OR, and “Brittian” (Kristi) Bullock of Ridgefield, WA. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Paris, Gordon, Canon Rex, Ransom, Judah, Maxine, and Mercer Alfred.

She is also mourned by her brother, John Barry “Buster” Presley, and the families of her extended relatives, on whom she showered affection—making them feel close and connected. She leaves behind close ties with nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, and their children. She counted thousands as family and friends in Christ.

Her life was one of passion, perseverance, and faith—a life fully lived to the end.

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