Wanda Simmons Funchess
Wanda Simmons Funchess, 90, of Beaumont, died Monday, April 8, 2024. She was born on December 9, 1933, in Ozona, Texas, to Elsie Jewel Saunders and Thomas Maurice Simmons.
Wanda was raised in the small town of Junction, Texas. In her teen years, she worked at the local Soda Fountain/Pharmacy. This is where, after graduating high school, she met her future husband, Hank Funchess. Hank was attending Texas A & M and was in Junction for summer school. Upon seeing Wanda, even before meeting her, he told his fellow classmates that she was his girl. She wondered why no other boys came over to talk to her. They were married in August 1954. After living in several different locations, they moved to Hank’s hometown of Beaumont, Texas. This is where they would raise their four children and spend the rest of their lives.
Wanda had a very loving and giving heart. She would see a need or want and then proceed to meet it. This brought her great joy, as this was her way of expressing love and living her faith. She also loved to cook. She was part of the Kitchenettes of Calder Baptist Church where she helped with many luncheons and other gatherings over the years. She was well known for her amazing apple pie.
She loved her family with a deep passion. Of course, all of our gatherings involved a feast she lovingly prepared. Christmas Eve was her favorite when the entire family would gather together for dinner. At the last Christmas Eve spent together, there were at least thirty family members across four generations. She enjoyed hosting parties because she loved having her home full of people just enjoying being together.
Wanda was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include her children, Jeanette Thompson and her husband, Mark; Tim Funchess and his wife, Karen; Richard Funchess and his wife, Becky; and Paul Funchess and his wife, Julie; grandchildren, Sarah Herod and her husband, Gabe; Tommy Funchess and his wife, Mandi; Katherine Hope; Johanna Harrison and her husband, Nick; Allison Funchess; Jennifer Funchess and her fiancé’ Mitch Fenbert; Ric Funchess; Audrey Roberts and her husband, Coleby; and Rachel Martin and her husband, Chase; great-grandchildren, Ashton Funchess, Thomas Hope, Emily Funchess, Molly Hope, Wyatt Funchess, Jonathan Hope, Elliot Harrison, Willa Funchess, Conor Harrison, and Jonah Harrison.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry “Hank” Bascom Funchess, III; and siblings, Melba Grayson, Ronald Simmons, and James Simmons.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregivers, Summer, Felicia, Linda, Lavonna, and Connie.
Memorial contributions for Mrs. Funchess may be made to Calder Baptist Church – Wanda Funchess’ Memorial, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont Texas 77702 or The Symphony League of Beaumont, 4345 Phelan Boulevard #105, Beaumont Texas 77707.
A gathering of Mrs. Funchess’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 15, 2024, at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Services my be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/Calderbaptist
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary McFaddin Ave.
- 2000, Mcfaddin Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77701,
- April 14, 2024
- 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Funeral Service
Calder Baptist Church
- 1005, N 11th St, Beaumont, TX, 77702,
- April 15, 2024
- 11:00 am
Interment
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. Y’all are in my prayers. Tim see you at Elena’s
Truly sorry to hear about Wanda. She leaves an empty spot for all of us. She was my friend from the first day I moved to Beaumont. Wanda was a person whom after you visited you just felt happier. She was generous, thoughtful, and kind. So many things made Wanda a truly wonderful lady. Family was extremely important to her, and you just knew the love went both ways. Our sympathies and condolences to all the family. May your memories of Wanda bring you comfort.
Dear Paul, so sorry to hear about you mother passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I still tell my students about this amazing tennis player I worked with so many years ago, always smiling and never missing the ball.
Prayers for you and your family, Tim. May you be comforted and may your mother rest in heavenly peace.
Jeanette, Tim, Richard and Paul, I sure hate to hear the news of your mother’s passing. She was always very kind and gracious to me growing up, (the Lord knows I needed that). She raised 4 wonderful children and that is the greatest testament as to who she was as a person. Her legacy lives on in each of you and I know you made her so very proud. She served our Lord Jesus, well and made sure that all who knew her knew of her relationship with Him. As Paul so appropriately states in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;…”, well, she has fought the good fight, she has finished her course and she has kept the faith. I can only believe that the Lord is well pleased
A great friend of my father and my family, many precious memories remain with us of Wanda. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
So sorry for your loss, Tim and family. Your mom seemed like an amazing lady. You were blessed!
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of a sweet lady. Although I had only meet her on a few different occasions she was welcoming and very nice. I fondly remember the privilege of being able to walk her to her car the night of Sarah and Gabe’s wedding. She invited us to come and visit her, regretfully I never did. I take this as a lesson, we should slow down in this fast pace life, smell the roses and listen to the birds. Thank you Mrs. Wanda for the lesson learned. We love because Jesus first loved us!
A wonderful lifelong family friend! Such a gracious lady and hostess who always extended a helping hand and smile. She will be greatly missed.
Paul
I’m so sorry about the loss of your precious mother. Wanda was one of my favorites. After I lost Bruce, she shared how she got through when your Dad passed away. I thought about it often and a few years later I told her how much her kind words got me me through my rough times. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Friends for many, many years. Wanda was a beautiful lady inside and out. She will be missed by so many. RIP my Friend.
My deepest sympathies to all of her family. Wanda and Melba were always my favorite Aunts and I’m sad these two wonderful souls have left us. Wanda was always so kind, generous and selfless. Her brother (my dad) loved her so much. She will be dearly missed.
Growing up with Paul, I remember spending a lot of summers at the Funchess household, staking claim on the play room as Mrs. Funchess made sure we were well fed and staying out of trouble. Not sure about that second part. Thoughts and prayers to Funchess clan during this difficult time.
My deepest condolences! Praying for the family.
Tom Noyola
I was truly blessed by my friendship with Wanda,. She was always so sweet and fun to talk with.
She is with the Lord. And Hank.
Condolences to the family.
My deepest sympathy to your family on the loss of your dear mother. May God be with you in the days ahead.