Wilma Katherine Tracy Funderburk

Wilma Katherine Tracy Funderburk, age 89, of Monroe, Louisiana, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday May 8th, 2025, passing away peacefully at her residence. She was born November 19, 1935, in Spring Hollow Township, Missouri, near Bennett Springs where the family lived. She was the 7th of 11 children born to George Henry Tracy and Flossie Marie Lininger Tracy. ‍

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, George and Flossie; four brothers, Kenneth, Leroy, Freddie, and Stanley; five sisters, Alene, Doris, Ruby, Audry, and Marva; and two sons, William Mark Funderburk and Scott Alan Funderburk.

‍Wilma is survived by her husband of 70 years William “Bill” Seaborn Funderburk; one sister, Carol Fletcher of Lebanon, Missouri; one son, Michael Stephen Funderburk (Kim) of Perryville, Missouri; two daughters, Kathryn Dawn Funderburk Milstead (Ricky) of Calhoun, Louisiana and Tracy Ann Funderburk of Georgetown, Texas; two daughters-in-law, Cindy Dustin Funderburk of Logan, Utah and Melonie Peace Funderburk of Georgetown, Texas; special “son and daughter-in-law” Aaron Johnson (Cindy) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; twelve grandchildren, Stephen, Ian, Nate, Jeremi, Ryan, Coby, Holly Ann, Laura, Brian, Allen, Ashley, and Jacob; and numerous great grand-children, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends who will deeply miss her.

‍A steady, quiet, but fierce protector of family and home, Wilma believed in living out her faith through acts of service. She loved large, gave of herself generously, and always made sure her family had everything they needed, even if it wasn’t always everything they wanted. A child of the great depression, Wilma learned how to make much from little, conserve what precious things they had, and understood the value of honest hard work.

Knowledge and education were her haven and reading became a lifelong joy. After graduating from Lebanon High School, Wilma embarked on her journey to become a Registered Nurse. With help and support from a host of dear ladies from her home church in Lebanon, she enrolled in the Harris College of Nursing at Texas Christian University, the first in her family to attend college and earn a degree. She proudly served as an RN with great compassion and care, even being hired as the first charge nurse of the newly organized new-born nursery at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe, Louisiana. As her family grew, Wilma took a break from nursing to focus on being a model homemaker and raising her 5 children, then returned to nursing work later in life.

Coming from a background of faith, she remained actively involved in her church’s College and Career group while attending TCU, and it was there she met and married the love of her life, Bill, on December 28th, 1954, just recently celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

No matter where the family landed as home, Wilma was always involved in her children’s lives and activities encouraging them to find their life passions, try new things, and instilled in them confidence, honesty, the value of hard work, and a love for the Lord and for others.

‍Later in life, she proudly watched her children take flight and begin their own families and careers. Staying active in her grandchildren’s lives as much as time and distance would allow, she proudly told folks about their many accomplishments and even claimed to have molded her very first grandson’s future path by teaching him his very first cuss word.

A time of visitation and life celebration for family and friends will be held on Monday May 12th, 2025, from 10:00 AM until Noon, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1901 Lexington Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana.

Inurnment will follow at the New Winnsboro City Cemetery in Winnsboro, Louisiana with a grave side service for family and friends at 2:00 PM.

‍The family wishes to express special thanks to the membership of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the Hospice Team of Elara Caring, and LaRasha Wiley and team from Phenix Care Services for all the love, care, and assistance you provided to us and to Momma in these last few months. You provided a precious support system that sustained us through a difficult time. Thus we say “In heaven too, you will have my hand (Robert Sexton)”.