Gathering allows Roy Pullam to say goodbye to those he loves
Approximately 250 friends, family, colleagues and community leaders gathered at the Henderson County Public Library on Thursday to honor Roy Pullam.
People stood in line waited in line—many for more than an hour—to speak to the retired teacher while Pullam took his “at bat” in what he himself is calling his “home run tour”
In the fall of 2023, Pullam was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as well as lung cancer after having open heart surgery.
Former student Trish Gerber and husband, Wendell, said Pullam has often been saying he’d like to see former students and colleagues before he dies.
He wanted a way to speak to friends, former students and community members, one-on-one, albeit for a brief moment, while he still has the chance, Gerber said.
Gerber contacted Pam Ballou, another former student of Pullam’s, and they agreed that it would be a good idea to try to organize a celebration for their former teacher. They created a Facebook event, which spread like wildfire, Gerber said.
Pullam had visitors from not only Henderson, Evansville and Providence, where he is from, but also Louisville, Lexington, East Tennessee and even Florida. A Zoom call was also set up so that those who could not attend the reception in person could still have an opportunity to speak with Pullam.
“Today was so special,” Pullam said. “The reception at the library was so beautiful. I wanted this night. I wanted to say goodbye to people who meant so much to me.”
He added, “I told dozens of people that I loved them and they returned the same emotion. They had to close the library at 8:00 and people were still talking to me. I am exhausted but so happy about tonight. My heart is full.”
