Wilma Louise Strube

Wilma Louise Strube passed on to her eternal life with Christ the Savior Tuesday, December 18, 2012. Born to Lonnie and Macie Welch in Dry Prong, Louisiana, on February 5, 1935, the second of seven children, she was 77. She grew up surrounded by sisters, brothers, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Wilma learned early in life how to help with chores around the house and had firsthand knowledge of the duties on a farm such as milking cows, feeding hogs, gathering eggs and cleaning barns, she kept busy. Wilma told of how she accepted Christ the Savior at the age of 12. Wilma met the love of her life, Lyall. They married when Lyall was stationed in Honolulu, where Wilma gave birth to their son Lyall Douglas, and oldest daughter, Pamela Sue. Next they were off to Spokane, Washington, where their second daughter Brenda Gaye was welcomed. After 18 months, the family was off to Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois and then on to Merced, California, where youngest daughter Twila Jo was born. McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey; Tripoli, Libya; Frankfurt, Germany; Smyrna, Tennessee; and Jacksonville, Arkansas, rounded out the remainder of their military travels. Lyall was on one isolated tour of duty to Bangkok, Thailand during the Vietnam War. Many grandchildren followed: Dustin, Amber, Ryan, Erik, Sarah, Cortney, Jacob, Lucas, Carley, Seth and Alison. Christa, Matthew and Mark were added to the family, and then came the marriages adding Andrea, Brad, Robin, Megan, Christine, Steve, Bryan and Jeremy. A new crop of babies (great-grandchildren) started arriving with Riley Ann, Garrett Blake, Alex Michael, Jayden Nicholas, Anna Grace, Jaxon Paul, Bennett Patrick, Adhelin, Hagan and Kensley Sophia. What joy this large group brought to their Nana, as she was fondly called. When the family first moved to Jacksonville, they began attending Landmark Baptist Church. Wilma helped in the food pantry weekly, she helped clean the church and decorate for special occasions. In later years she helped the children practice reciting their AWANA Bible verses. She also assisted Lyall as he ran the tape ministry. She was always behind the scenes, never wanting to draw attention to herself. Wilma and Lyall moved to Cabot in 2007 to be near Brenda and Twila. After Lyall passed, Wilma began attending Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. She felt so welcomed by the people she met in her Sunday school class and church. She so enjoyed the fellowships and senior trips she attended. Wilma was granted the blessing of being the bride of Lyall for 55 years. In all those years the children witnessed the undying love they had for each other, a rarity in these days. Along with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren Wilma is survived by siblings Sandy Hodnett, Linda Anderson (Johnny), Edward Welch (Ginny) and Margret Baker (Kenneth). Wilma will be greatly missed by all who knew, loved and came in contact with her. She will always be remembered as a shy, sweet spirit. The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Stan Kellar, Dr. John Hayes, Dr. Delap, Dr. Caldwell, Dr. Barton, Dr. Orsini, and Dr. Green and their staff at the ICU Baptist Springhill and Baptist Extended Care in Little Rock for their determination and kindness shown during this difficult time. Celebration service will be Saturday, December 22, 10 a.m., at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Cabot, with Pastor David Mitchell. Graveside service will follow immediately at the adjacent Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, December 21, from 7-9 p.m. at Moore's Cabot Funeral Home. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.moorescabotfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, (501) 843-5816.