Ramona “Granny” Bullington, 96, of Marshall, MO, died Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at The Living Center in Marshall.
A celebration of Ramona’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2026 at Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Pastor Randy Shannon officiating. There is no visitation and a private family inurnment will follow in Sunset Gardens Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Cumberland Presbyterian Church in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
Born January 12, 1930, in Cross Timbers, MO, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Landren Boyd and Fannie McCubbin Boyd. Ramona lived in the Cross Timbers area growing up and was a 1948 graduate of Cross Timbers High School. On February 4, 1949, she married Travis A. Bullington who preceded her in death on December 18, 2010. She and Travis moved from Hickory County and made their home in Marshall where they raised their family.
Travis started his own construction company, Travis Bullington Construction, and Ramona was an integral part of the business. She developed blueprints, interior design layouts, as well as bookkeeping for the business. Later, she began to volunteer and assist her daughter, Diana, in the music department at Missouri Valley College. Ramona assisted with musicals, accompanied the students, and anything that was needed. She was then offered a paid position in the registrar’s office, which she took, and also assisted in the development office. While working at the college, she was able to put her daughter, Janet, through college, as well as many of her grandchildren. Ramona finally decided, at the age of 82, that she was ready to retire from the college where she had worked for over 25 years.
Another important part of Ramona’s life was music. In her younger years, she sang at Lee Mace’s Ozark Opry, which was brand new at Bagnell Dam, and became known for her yodeling. She and her daughters, as well as a few others, formed The Sunshine Singers and sang at numerous churches and events through the years. Ramona was once asked by someone attending a concert if they sang at dances, to which Ramona replied “No, but I guess we could!” That question spawned the Wildwood Dance Band where they traveled singing at dances for several years. Though they sang different styles of music, Ramona’s first love of music was gospel. She was a longtime member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church where she served the Lord by playing the piano and organ for as long as she was there. She not only served the Lord in music, but in numerous capacities at the church.
Second only to her faith, Ramona’s passion was her family. She was a helpmate and partner with Travis in life and in business. Diana and Janet inherited her love and music and they were able to bond and make an untold number of memories throughout life with the gift of music. But, then, one of the greatest highlights of her life was being “Granny” for her grandkids and great-grandkids. She attended concerts, sporting events, musicals, and whatever else her family had going on in their lives. Ramona left a solid foundation for her family and they are forever grateful to her for that.
Survivors include two daughters, Diana Malan (Doug) and Janet Bryan (Marty); six grandchildren: Craig Staley (Koby), Jenny Kalyango, Eric Staley (Crissy), W.T. Bryan, Julie Bryan (Janice), and Jon Bryan (Brooke); eight great-grandchildren: Kamryn Staley, Jordan Staley, Quinn Bryan, Travis Staley, Ragan Kalyango, Isaac Kalyango, Bennett Bryan, and Stella Bryan; as well as nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
In addition to her parents and husband, Ramona was preceded in death by two brothers, Alvin and Bill Boyd; and one sister, Audrey Schnitker.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
