Back to Obituaries Trice Funeral Home, Inc. | Fuquay-Varina, NC

James Lovelace Bullock

Passed 10/18/2025

Obituary For James Lovelace Bullock

James L. Bullock 78, of Apex NC passed on October 18, 2025, at WakeMed in Cary NC.

James Lovelace Bullock was more than just a race car driver. He was a loving, generous spirit with an enthusiasm for life. Growing up in the WHOPS/Apex community, he was dearly loved by family and friends alike. During his life's journey, he was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

He leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the quarter-mile, living on in the hearts of many. James will be missed by his surviving family, whom he loved and who loved him in return, which includes his Wife, Bethel "Muffin" Clay Bullock; Daughter born to his marriage to Frances Thomas Bullock: LaTara Chevelle Bullock Smith (Lance) of Lithia Springs, GA; Sisters: Eva Bullock Jones of Cary, NC, Barbara Bullock Engram of Raleigh, NC and Brenda Bullock Height of Charlotte, NC; Cousin/Sister: Shirley Sanders Harris of Raleigh, NC; Cousin/Brother: Ben Sanders of Cary, NC; Sisters-in-law: Vanessa Dale Clay Spence (Moe) and Blondia Kersey Clay; Brother-in-law: Tony Clay (Carolyn); Nieces: Rhonda "Kookie" Morgan (Calvin), DeShawn Kelly; Bridget Height Williams, Shernita Alston Spence (Keith), and JoKyra Bullock Scott (Brian); Nephews: Mike Kelly (San), Bobby Jones II, and Bobby Height II (Erica); and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and the entire Drag Racing, Car Show and Auto Zone Families. KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS.

Public Viewing: 1:00 - 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Trice Funeral Home Chapel, 127 N. West Street in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.

Visitation: 11:00 - 11:30 am on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Poplar Springs Christian Church in Raleigh, NC 27603.

Funeral will be held 11:30 am on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Poplar Springs Christian Church, 6115 Old Stage Road in Raleigh, NC 27603.

Burial: Turner-Evans Family Cemetery in Cary, NC.

At this time, please honor the familyโ€™s request with no home visitations. Thanks for your prayers and concerns. -The Family

In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to Apex Christian Home Church PO Box 246 in Apex, NC 27502 in Memory of James L. Bullock.

Send flowers to the service of James Lovelace Bullock


Condolences & Tributes

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Very Knowledgeable Individual, We Shared a Love of Cars , often talked often bout Past . Rest Easy Buddy. Eddie Hodge

Eddie Hodge

Bethel, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Pat

Pat Denning Wells

The Lord wants the best! I thought the world of Mr. James. I always enjoyed our conversation. My heart is sad to know he has moved on. I regain enjoy when I think of our last conversation. Mr. James was a good Man with a very kind and fine heart!โค๏ธ You will surely be missed my brother! Gerlanna and I give our condolences to the lovely wife and the whole family. May God Bless Dairle & Gerlanna Patterson

Dairle & Gerlanna Patterson

James made Super Sport Chevy popular at tracks and on the streets. My prayer and thoughts are with you and family members .Rest in peace.

Buddy McNeill

Prayers and Condolences

Deacon Ministry of Poplar Springs Christian Church

My deepest sympathy to Muffin and the rest of the family.

Jeanette thomas blount

Please accept our heartfelt condolences. I know how much James meant to the family and the church community he served. His smile, kindness, strength, and wisdom touched so many lives, and he will be greatly missed.

May the Lord wrap your family in His peace and grant you comfort during this difficult time. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Your uncle's legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Edwards Family

Kenneth Edwards

My thoughts and prayers are with you Bethel (Muffin) and the Family. May God comfort you in you all times of need. Wendy Carrington

Wendy Carrington

My sincere condolences to Bethel and the Bullock Family. God bless you all. Be encouraged. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ

Regina Brooks

Brenda and the Bullock Family -- Sending you my prayers for strength and comfort at this time. Please cherish each precious memory with a smile and a song in your heart that will last a lifetime.

Pam M. Height

To Aunt Brenda and the Bullock Family Please know that our deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers are with you during the sudden loss of your cherished loved one.

Dana and Susan Height & Family

Dana J. Height

Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of James Lovelace. He had a warm, full of life spirit that radiated. I will always fondly remember first meeting James, Joe and the twins as grade schoolers one summer in the 1950s when we played together in Mr. Byrd Hooker's yard near the Apex soap factory. Praying for your family's peace and comfort. Brenda Steele Hawkins & family ๐ŸŒนโ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿ™

Brenda Steele Hawkins

Our heartfelt condolences for the Family of Mr. James Bullock

The Spivey Family

Our deepest sympathy for your loss of someone so dear. May your many and precious memories bring you comfort and peace. Evelyn Newkirk Barfield and Family

Evelyn Newkirk Barfield and Family

My deepest Sympathies. Thanks for your kindness and may you rest in peace.

Joyce Bullock

I've known James all my life since10yrs old. He was always a joy for me to be around him. I will ldeeply miss our talks and our shared laughter. I will always remember you at my ruby's day celebrations. The car shows. At at a restaurant. And around and about. To muffin we will always be close. Again. I'm going to miss James for know I could call him friend. Ruby s Evans snelling

Ruby e. Snelling.

Prayers for the Family

Anna Morrison

Condolences to the Clay family. Farrington family Wade Doreatha Geraldine and Carolyn

C Farrington Hedgepeth

Love and condolences to His family and Friends. He was an awesome friend and so appreciated for his love and concerns for others

Mae Melvin

Sending prayers for the loss of my cousin. There's a chariot in Heaven just for you. ๐ŸŽ๏ธ May you rest in peace.โค๏ธ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

Travis and Cheryl Bullock

My sincere condolences to the Bullock and Clay families. James was known and loved by everyone he came in contact with. I will miss seeing and talking to him at Dallas famous chicken and biscuits every week. RIP my friend as you have taken your flight to a better place.

Diane Moon

Deepest condolences to you & your family during this difficult time.

Barbara Elaine Height

Wishing you & your family peace & comfort during this difficult time.

Jerome & Schyuler Johnson

Condolences and prayers for the passing of James. He will be truly missed, one of my best friends. RIP

Al Williams

Our Condolences and prayer are with the Bullock family.

Junie & Martha Evans & Family

We are so sorry for your loss" Our heart goes out to Family Mr.Bullock was a long time patient at EyeCare Center in Cary-Crossroads , Mr.Bullock presence always filled the office with laughter and warmth, he will truly be missed, RIP Mr. Bullock

Annette Roberts- Gunter& Jeanette Roberts

Rest in peace my brother !!๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฟ

George &Kay Farrar

We the Farrington family send our condolences and prayers to the Bullock and Clay family

Carolyn Farrington-Hedgepeth

Our deepest condolences to you and your family. James and Jackie Baldwin

Jackie Baldwin

My prayers are with the family!!

Patricia Harris Powell

With heartfelt sympathy .. please accept my condolences

Ronald Richardson

My deepest sympathy to the family.

Katherine Branch

James was definitely more than a race car driver, but for us he was the good neighbor who loved his engines. I recall being stunned to learn he had a corporate job. I thought he made his living through racing. His laughter will be missed. Donna, Erik, and CoCo

Donna Provance

Our condolences to you and family Sister Bethel. We Love And Pray For You All.

Prayer Ministry Poplar Springs Christian Church

To my classmate Muffin,Bethel and family, you have my deepest condolences, Praying

Mary Allen P. Price

Our sincere condolences, sympathy and continued prayers to you Bethel and all of the family. May God bless each of you.

Bobby and Peggy Cannady

Our heartfelt condolences to the Bulluck family. May God's love comfort you and his peace strengthen you during this difficult time.

Martin and Pamela Thompson

Quincy McGill, Jr. Class Of 1966 To The Family Of One Of My Favorite Sportsman: "BE BLESS"

Quincy Quincy McGill, Jr. McGill, Jr.

Just A Note To Render My Condolences To The Bullock Family. As A Schoolmate, Classmate, Of 1966. I Keep Up With Him Especially His Auto Drag Racing Career. After Graduation From High School And College, I Continued To Follow, Especially At Peidmont Whin I Relocated To High Point, N.C.. I Still Have The Tee Shirt He Gave Me At One Ot The Races. "THE WORDS FASTEST CORVERETTE-SPONSOTRED BY (OWNER RICK HENDRECK MOTORS): "MY GOD BLESS YOU ALL"

Quincy Quincy McGill, Jr. McGill, Jr.

We are so sorry for your loss, you are in our prayers.

Al and Pat McCutcheon

Keeping the Bullock family lifted up in prayer.

Levone and Ann C.Holiday

Our condolences to Bethel Bulock and Clay family we will continue prayers for you and the family.

Levone and Ann C.Holiday

May the God of comfort give you peace Bethel and family with the loss of James he was well known since my growing up in Raleigh with the car community may God bless you.

Paul and Christine Stewart

I like to express my condolences to James Bullock's families, a host of car friends and the list goes on. James was the Best Classic Car Man around this area. He supported all of our classic car shows and cruise in. James gave me knowledge how to conduct myself and how to keep our cruise in cruising on for over 14years. James own the fastest car around a 1966 Green Chevelle "The Runway Child" and he drove the fast car on the professional Race Track. He made all of us proud. James lived a Car Legend's Life. He would give his trophy away to a small boy standing in the crowd. The gave him the right middle Lovelace because he was a loving Guy and everyone loved James Bullock. Our hearts are aching for the Bullock families in the Apex area and the surrounding areas. May God's Peace comfort and strength be with all who are mourning in this time and days to come. Kenney Vee Davis 1966 Chevelle Owner

Kenney Vee Davis

With deepest sympathy, I pray God strengthen your faith, comfort your fears and give you peace and understanding of is will, during this tragic season.

Jacqueline Carter Branch

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of James L. Bullock. May his light continue to shine in your memories.

Floya Cotten-Brown

My condolences to the Bullock family. Losing a spouse or any family member is an indescribable loss. May you find comfort in the shared memories, and may James love continue to guide you in the days ahead. James legacy of love and kindness will forever be remembered. ๐Ÿ’”โค๏ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ

Pauline Lorice Hall-Dunn

I am Glad I had the opportunity to meet & know Mr. Bullock (AutoZone, IBM, Hendrick Autosports ๐Ÿ ๐ŸŽ ).

We Love You & will Always Remember You ๐Ÿ’™ ๐Ÿ’œ ๐Ÿ‘Š ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ‘ !!!

W. Junius Featherstone Jr & Families/Friends

Our Deepest Condolences to the Bullock family. May God's Comfort and Strength be felt during and after this difficult time. James will truly be missed by so many.

REST IN PEACE NOW MR. BULLOCK!!!

Delores Edwards and Willie Hinton

Our sincere condolences to you Bethel in the loss of your beloved husband. Continued prayers for you and the family.

Billy & Dorothy Winston

Our condolences to Bethel(Muffin) Bullock and Clay family. RIP

Ralph & Cathy Harris

Deepest sympathy to the family

Ruby Hodge

Sending my deepest condolences to the Bullock Family. Praying that God's strength and comfort be with you all today and always.

Lasharronda Harris

The Taylor family sends our condolences to the Bullocks. We will be praying for you (Love Jay Tee Taylor)

Jay Tee Taylor

To Muffin, and the Bullock/Clay family. You all have my sincere condolences at the home going of Jame Lovelace. May God grant you all peace, comfort and strength during this difficult time. R.I.P James Lovelace

Roberta Burton Norris

To The Bullock / Clay families, My deepest condolences to all of you with the loss of your Husband, Father, Brother and Uncle. I will keep you all in my thoughts and lift you up in prayer. May God continue to give you strength, peace and comfort during this time of bereavement. Donna Cole

Donna Cole

Bethel, I express my sincere condolences to the Bullock and the Clay families.

Brenda Davis

My Sincerely Condolences To The Family

Betty Hilliard

My condolences to all of James family and friends. He will truly be missed by many. James taught me a lot over the past 15 years and I will surely miss his guidance and words of advice. RIP James, we will meet again on the brighter side.

David Smith

My deepest condolences to Bethel and the Bullock family. Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Patricia Morgan

Keeping the Bullock Family Lifted Up In PRAYER ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฟ

Deacon Harold & Deacon Debra Murphy

Our Deepest Sympathy. James will be missed by all who knew him. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Charlie and Jackie Hemphill

My sincere condolences to you Bethel in the loss of your beloved husband. Continued prayers for you and his family.

Marilyn Sanders

The Lassiter, Powell, and Burt-Peebles families offer our deepest condolences to you in the loss of your love one

Betty Burt-Peebles

Bethel, my Prayers and Condolences to you and your family.

Rev. Kevin V. James

Sincere condolences to the Bullock family.

BARice

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Mildred Evans Keith

Mildred Evans Keith

Condolences to the Clay and Bullock families. I met James at the Car Shows in Holly Springs. I will always remember his smile and "Hot Cars". May he Rest and Race in Heaven.

Jessie Dewar

Condolences to the family and may God bless all of you. I WILL MISS OUR PHONE CALLS AFTER YOU LOSS YOUR BROTHER AND I LOSS MY BROTHER WE MADE A PACK TO CALL EACH OTHER THANK GOD FOR YOU BEING A PART OF MY LIFE AND BEING A FRIEND

Maryland (Bump)&Ruby Snelling

My deepest sympathies.

Delois Whitaker

My heart goes out to James Bullock's family & friends. May the Good Lord comfort, heal & strengthen your hearts as you go through this time of sorrow. Love & Prayers๐Ÿ™๐Ÿพโค๏ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿพ

Gladys Crowder

To the Bullock and Clay families, My sincere condolences and prayers of healing at this difficult time. Muffin, please know that my heart goes out to you, and may the light of the Lord will bring you through and sustain you with all the loving memories you and James shared. Love and prayers.. Geneva and family, Bruce, Alphonzo and Paulette ๐Ÿ™

Geneva Cobb

I pray for everyone that that love James as much as I did I pray for your peace for the grieving ones am monsters for James

Herbert Atkins

When I was 18 years old, he loaned me his transmission. It's the only thing I need to complete my race and operation, but I had a bigger plan. I wanted him to drive the car because everybody knew James Bullock, so for one solid year we won every race we went to. It was so hard for me to walk around being humble because we were kicking everybody's butt thank you father for such a wonderful friend.

Herbert Atkins

James was a great friend for 50 years. We had a wonderful time drag race. I will always miss you. I pray for the wife Muffin they made the peace of God into your heart at this time of grieving John 14 six Jesus says I am the way the truth in the life. No one comes to the father but through me praise your wonderful father my dear friend is with you now.

Herbert Atkins

Our condolences and prayers to the Bullock and Clay families in the passing of James.

Elder Edward Tony Lucas

My condolences to the Bullock and Clay families

Danese Winston-Bailey

James was a good friend of mine. He was the judge of all of my car shows, and we, back in the day, went to a lot of races together

Pamela Troublefield

Praying for the family

Pamela Troublefield

To the family you're in my prayers and thoughts ๐Ÿ™ โค๏ธ

Monica Stewart Womble

SB

SBecoat

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

Trice Funeral Home, Inc. | Fuquay-Varina, NC

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