Mr. Sterling Bunns

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". John 14:6 Sterling “Rabbit” Bunns was born on October 3, 1943 to Robert Bunns, Sr. and Suphfronia Willis Bunns in Bethel, NC (Pitt County). He was one of seven children. Sterling loved sports. He was a standout basketball player and ran track at Bethel Union High School, (Bethel, NC) where he graduated in 1962. HE WAS A DIE HARD DALLAS COWBOY FAN...!! As a young man Sterling worked on the farm putting in tobacco and picking cucumbers. He once said, “If you could do that work in 90+ degree heat you could work anywhere”. Sterling loved fishing and playing cards. Sterling eventually moved to Danbury, Connecticut after graduation where he courted and was united in holy matrimony for 60 years to the love of his life, Annie Virginia Ross on February 27, 1965 in Danbury, Connecticut. To this union two children were born. Sterling became a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Danbury, Connecticut under the Leadership of the late Rev. Aaron Samuels. Although he never formally joined church in North Carolina, he occasionally attended other local churches and rededicated his life to Christ on January 30, 2026. TO GOD BE THE GLORY..! Sterling was also a master at repairing anything that had an engine and 4 wheels. As part of the “Bunns Racing Team” with his brother Western Bunns. The first African American racing duo out of North Carolina. They ran their cars “Soul Twister” and the “Soul Twister, Jr.” up and down the east coast to Florida to Detroit and back..! Sterling was always in pursuit of education and looking for opportunities to learn new things. From 1970 to 1973 he went on to obtain many certifications and licenses which included Property & Liability Life, Health & Accident Insurance licenses with Metropolitan and Monarch life. He went on to achieve awards for being a multi-million dollar producer two years in a row at Metropolitan Life. He became Grand Exalted Ruler of the Carter L. Marshall Elks Lodge #1556 on October 31, 1975. In 1979, Sterling’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to open up TLC Café in Danbury, Connecticut. This became the gathering place for many and the home of the TLC men’s and women’s softball team. They were a traveling team and even traveled to Robersonville, North Carolina to go on to win the tournament during Elks Turnout in 1980. Sterling was employed with Amphenol RF, Inc., in Danbury, Connecticut before pursuing his next heart’s desire. Sterling decided to enroll in the Danbury Police Training Academy. He completed his training and was appointed on May 9, 1968. Sterling was a Danbury Police Officer for 32 years. Sterling also worked during that time for the New York State Division for Youth where he completed training in Human Relations and Behavioral Science. He loved working with at risk youth and often brought them home with him to allow them the opportunity to have a home-cooked meal and to be around family. Sterling and Annie were also foster parents for the Connecticut Department of Social Services prior to moving back to North Carolina. Sterling has always been about serving the Community and helping those in need. In 1999, he spearheaded efforts with the Carter L. Marshall Elks Lodge #1556 to send U-Haul trucks to North Carolina during Hurricane Floyd that contained clothing, household goods and nonperishable items. In 2001, this ol’ country boy and his wife Annie decided to move back to Bethel, North Carolina where they both lived until they were called home to be with the LORD. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by four brothers, Herman Bunns, Robert Bunns, Jr., Western Bunns and Zelbra Bunns; one sister, Viola Christian. Sterling leaves behind to cherish his memory two children daughter, Rena Bun of Bethel, NC, a son Reginald Bunns (April) of Greenville, NC; grandchildren, Paulena Salley, Andrea Flowers, Iesha Scott, William Battle, J’Onna Heath, Aniyah Bunns; great grandchildren, Skylar, Prince, Aria, Arious, II (Deuce), Aleah, Zhyan, Malani, Ava and Cairo Everette; two sisters, Carolyn Purvis of Greenville, NC and Mary “Yvonne” Purvis of Bethel, NC; one brother, Zachary Bunns of Greenville, NC and a host of nieces, and nephews.

Tributes

Mr. Sterling Bunns

October 3, 1943 - February 14, 2026