Obituary of Sibyl Cole Bynum

Sibyl Cole Bynum, long time resident of Talladega, AL died on Tuesday, February 28. She was born in Douglas, AL on Valentines Day 1921, the youngest of nine children of Thomas Dowe Cole and Louella Morton Cole. She graduated from Douglas High School as her class valedictorian. She went to Snead Junior College and then attended Auburn University, preparing to be a teacher. She taught English at Oneonta High School and there was introduced by one of her students to Ralph Moore Bynum, the love of her life. They wed on January 3, 1944. The couple then lived in New York City during WWII where Ralph was stationed and Sibyl worked at Macy’s Department Store. After the war they returned to Alabama where they eventually made their home in Talladega and raised their four children: Stanley (Lucie) of Mountain Brook, AL; Marcia (Tommy) of Orlando, FL; Kathleen (Michael) of Nashville, TN; and Curtis (Joan) of Trussville, AL. Sibyl taught English one year at Talladega High School and was a preferred substitute teacher for a number of years, but devoted most of her considerable energies to her family, church and broader community. Sibyl was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, Talladega where she served in many capacities—as a Sunday School teacher, a choir member, a United Methodist Women’s officer and program coordinator for many years, both locally and regionally. She also served in various leadership roles on the Church Board and Council on Ministries. She was a docent at Heritage Hall, a member of the Argus Club, a Hilltopper at First UMC and a member of Friends of the Library. She delighted in developing and giving presentations to a wide variety of groups in and out of Talladega, often also serving as program coordinator for those organizations. Always a student, Sibyl relished traveling, meeting new people, and attended numerous Elderhostels across the United States. As recently as two weeks ago she was the speaker at a United Methodist Women’s event. She is predeceased by her parents, eight siblings and husband. In addition to her children and their spouses, she is survived by her ten grandchildren: Dowe Bynum (Emily), Julian Bynum (Jillian), Mary Eugenia Bynum, Leslie Limbaugh Cooper (Mark), Lauren Limbaugh Taylor (Murray), Zachary Lalor (Emily), Sarah Lalor, Adam Lalor, Molly Bynum Cook (Ben) and Celia Bynum. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Cole, Crossan, and Curtis Cooper, John Thomas and Lawson Taylor, Ann Margaret Bynum, and Mason Bynum. Visitation will take place at Usrey Funeral Home on Friday, March 2 from 6-8:00 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Sibyl’s life will be held on Saturday, March 3 at First United Methodist Church, Talladega at 10:00a.m., officiated by Rev. Ted Peterson. It will be followed by a graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Oneonta, AL at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Robert Sparkman. The family requests that friends consider making gifts in Mrs. Bynum’s memory to either First United Methodist Church, Talladega or to the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR); memorials to either can be sent to 400 East Street South, Talladega, AL 35160.