Stoker, Wanda Shelton Funk

Wanda Victoria Shelton Funk Stoker lost a hard fought and courageous battle with cancer on October 5th, 2013 at Pulaski Health and Rehab Center. She was born January 29th, 1948 in Marion, Virginia to the late John and Sarah Shelton.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and Jack Greer of Siler City, North Carolina and a brother-in-law, Ralph Johnson of Chilhowie, Virginia. Two brothers, Willis Shelton of Coatesville, Pennsylvania and Stanley Shelton of Sacramento, California also died before her. And her father-in-law, Clive Stoker of Sparta, North Carolina preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband, Gwyn Stoker of Pulaski, Virginia, her sons Mark Funk of Pulaski, Virginia, and Joshua Stoker and wife Colleen of Christiansburg, Virginia. She is also survived by the love of her life, her granddaughter, Kerrigan Stoker of Christiansburg, Virginia. Also surviving is Colleen’s brother, Kyle Curran of Radford, Virginia. Surviving sisters and brothers include: Blana Johnson, Chilhowie, Virginia; Violet Carter and husband Phil of Cedar City, Utah; Jeanne Freeman and husband Richard of Asheville, North Carolina; J. C. Shelton and wife Libby of Naples, Florida; and Don Shelton and wife Joyce of Cloverdale, Virginia. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law: Sue Shelton of Debary, Florida and Ann Shelton of Sacramento, California. She is survived by her husbands sisters: Sandra Jova and husband Clarence of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Susan Thomas and husband Ken of Sparta, North Carolina; and Julia Leigh Whatmore and husband Jim of Asheville, North Carolina as well as her mother-in-law Doris Stoker of Sparta, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert (Bobby) Funk of Grosclose, Virginia who died in automobile accident. She was also predeceased by Bobby’s parents, Claude and Gladys Funk, sister, Louise Catron, brother, Marvin Funk, and sister-in-law Nancy Funk, all of Grosclose, Virginia. She is survived by Bobby’s sister Ann Whisman and husband Bob of Marion, Virginia; brother Jimmy Funk of Marion, Virginia; brother-in-law Clarence Catron and wife Janie of Marion, Virginia.

Wanda was known in Pulaski and around the New River Valley as the “cake lady”. She designed and created hundreds of wedding, birthday, and special occasion cakes for over 20 years. Her cakes and baked goods were truly handmade works of art and tasted as good as they looked. She was a kind, caring, funny, witty woman. She dearly loved children and would do anything to see that any child she met was appreciated and cared for. All of the other children in her sons’ classes called her the best “class mom”. She always made costumes for school plays or other special occasions and baked “goodies” throughout the school year. Wanda will be cherished and dearly missed by her many friends and family. Her whole life was spent caring for others. A special lady has left us.

The family would like to thank Dr. McCoy, Dr. Brooks, Dr. Ojomo, and Karen Scalf-Benham of the Blue RidgeCancerCenter for their kindness and care of Wanda. A special thank-you to the 2nd floor nursing staff at MontgomeryRegionalHospital and to all of the nursing staff at Pulaski Health and Rehab.

The family will receive friends at Stevens Funeral Home of Pulaski Wednesday, October 9th from 6 pm until 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Thursday, October 10th at Stevens Funeral Home. Graveside burial services will be held at 4 pm on October 10th at Glade Valley Presbyterian Church, Glade Valley, North Carolina.