Irma Lee Wilker Furman
Irma Lee Wilker Furman was born to Lee and Lucy Wilker on Sept. 24, 1913, in Bronaugh, Mo. She was raised in Caney, Kan., graduating from high school in 1931.
She attended the University of Nevada in Reno, but after one semester, the "Bank Holiday" in 1933 returned her to her dad's farm in Missouri. In 1936, she married Raymond "Bud" Forman, and they lived in Oklahoma, where their son, Miles Edward "Mike" was born in 1938. Later in Texas, their daughter, Leanne, joined the family in 1943.
In February 1950 the family moved to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where Bud was employed by the Arabian American Oil Company, better known as ARAMCO. Four years later in 1954, their daughter, Mary, was born. During their years there they traveled to such places as the Holy Land, Bahrain, many places in Europe, Egypt and Ethiopia.
The kids went to school Saturday through Wednesday and had Thursday and Friday for the weekend. They also went to school for three months and had one month off. Everyone loved everything about the years there and continued the friendships made during those years.
Bud retired in 1966, and they, with Mary, moved to Tucson, where the rest of the family shortly joined them. Bud passed away in March 1971, and Irma Lee went back to school, 40 years after graduating, to become a nurse aid. She worked at the Tucson Medical Center until she retired.
In 1990, Irma Lee moved to Thatcher and shared a home with two of her granddaughters until they married. In October 1996, she moved to York Valley to live with her daughter and son-in-law. They moved to Thatcher in June 2010, and there she lived until she went home to Jesus on April 4, 2011.
Many called her friend; a number called her Aunt Irma Lee, and there were those who called her "Granny." Then there were three who called her Mama. Mike, Leanne and Mary: "We were more than blessed; we were gifted with her presence. Her never-ending love, support and courage were our inspiration and our introduction to faith."
Irma Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; her son, Mike; and two grandsons, Paul and Buddy.
She is survived by her daughters, Leanne (Darrell) Miller of Thatcher and Mary St. John of Tucson; six grandchildren, Heather (Paul) Sheats, René (Vaughan) Sherman, Megan (Brian) Carr, Kyle St. John, Becky Alldredge and Bryan Forman; 14 great-grandchildren: Shalom, Tiffany, Josiah and Noelle Sheats; Derek and Courtney Sherman; Raeanna, Abrianna, Shaelee, Kylee and Brayden Carr; Starla Warren and Jesse Alldredge; Maddison Forman; as well as her cousin, Mary Anne Fowler.
Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Preston Clonts on Friday, April 8, 2011, at Grace Tabernacle.
Interment was in the East Lawn Cemetery in Tucson. Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal's Caldwell Funeral Chapel.