S. Pearlee Willbanks (Seymour)'s Obituary
Sophia Pearlee Willbanks, beloved wife of Thomas Willbanks, peacefully went to her Heavenly home on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, surrounded by loved ones at her home in Seymour. Pearlee was eighty-three years, eight months and eighteen days of age.
One of six children, Pearlee was born April 20, 1931, in Macomb, Missouri, to Rex Alexander Baty and Jewell Mozell (Moody) Baty. She grew up in the Mansfield area. On September 9, 1948, Pearlee wed Thomas Isaac Willbanks and to this union five sons and two daughters were born. The Willbanks’ made their home and raised their family in Seymour. Pearlee and Tom shared sixty-six wonderful years together. The joy of Pearlee’s life was being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was a Christian woman and saved as a young adult. She spent early years attending Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Seymour, regularly teaching Sunday and bible school. She later became a founding member of the Seymour Free Will Baptist Church. Some of the first gatherings of members of the newly founded church were in the living room of the home of Tom and Pearlee. Worship was later moved to the east side of the square in a storefront setting and finally, land was found and the Seymour Free Will Baptist Church was built. Again, Pearlee spent many years teaching children’s Sunday school. In her spare time, Pearlee enjoyed reading and crocheting. She loved to garden and spent her summers growing and canning vegetables. For a time, she and Tom ran a chicken hatchery. She was a surrogate grandmother to many of all ages. Her care-giving spirit and kind heart naturally drew kids to her and she loved every one of them like her own. Pearlee was preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Jewell Baty; her daughter, Martha Meritt who passed away in November of 2007; a sister, Betty Calhoun; and dear sister-in-law, Jean Lunte. She leaves behind her loving husband of sixty-six years, Thomas Willbanks of the home; her children, son, John Willbanks of Seymour; son, Charley Willbanks and wife Cathy, of Springfield, Missouri; son, Tim Willbanks and wife Tammy, of East Sound, Washington; son, Matthew Willbanks of Seymour; daughter, Ruth Gold and husband Freddie, of Highlandville, Missouri; and son, Rev. Mark Willbanks; eleven grandchildren, Michelle, Tasha, Jennifer, Callen, Aaron, Isaac, Seth, Emily, Alison, Mallory and Chloe; six great-grandchildren, Caroline, Ashley, Andrew, Hunter, Owen and Robbie; and one great-great-grandchild, Autumn; son-in-law, David Meritt of Mount Vernon, Washington; three sisters, Lucille Archer of Quincy, Illinois; Wanda Van Eaton and Diane Shaw, both of Mansfield, Missouri; and brother, Jerry Baty and wife Mary, also of Mansfield; a host of well-beloved nieces and nephews and extended family; her hospice nurse, Carla; and many more dear friends and neighbors. Pearlee’s sweet spirit and loving nature will be greatly missed. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.
Memorials are suggested to Disabled American Veterans or Season's Hospice, and may be left at the funeral home.
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