of Sherwood, AR

June 10, 1935 - April 29, 2021

Wilma Lavinia Williams Faulk Schultz, 85, passed peacefully into Heaven from the arms of her daughter Tammy on Thursday, April 29, 2021, ending her 13 years long Alzheimer's journey. She had been a resident of the Arkansas State Veterans Homes in North Little Rock since December 2018. She was born June 10, 1935 in Carlisle, Arkansas to the late Samuel James Williams and Marjorie Louise Pearson Williams also of Carlisle, Arkansas. She was also preceded in death by two loving husbands, Luther Charles Faulk (m1953-1979) and James Albert Schultz (m1981-2015); her only sibling and brother, Roy Leon Williams; and her bonus son, Dwayne Wesley Faulk.

She is survived by her daughter, Tammy Parchman (Carl); her bonus daughter Susan Johnson (John); 6 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 8 great great-grandchildren; and a host of others who loved her as ''Momma'' and ''Gran''.

Wilma graduated from Carlisle High School in 1953 and excelled in voice and piano. Shortly after graduating, she married Luther Charles Faulk, and the two had a daughter, Tammy. They were married 25 years before he passed in 1979. Two years later on a blind date in 1981, she met the true love of her life, James ''Jim'' Schultz and after a short two-month courtship, they joined in a marriage that lasted 34 years before his passing in 2015. Through these two loves she gained both a bonus son and bonus daughter.

Her first job was working for Safeway as both a checker and as a meat cutter. She then worked at Don's Thriftway in Sherwood, AR as a cashier and again in the meat department. She was a banker for 25 years through First State Bank in Sherwood later becoming Eagle Bank, and then Superior Federal Bank. She also worked for a short time in the Sherwood City Clerk's office before finally retiring to enjoy life with Jim.
Through the years Wilma had a talent for music and was church pianist and organist for over 40 years. One of her greatest loves was gardening and raising vegetables which she shared with many. For many years, cars would often stop and talk to her about and admire her garden. She often competed with her daddy who swore his vegetables would grow better on his straight rows rather than her slightly crooked rows. The competition always brought laughter to the family, especially at harvest time. No matter, there was always plenty to share. She loved canning and had the best pickles and green beans for miles around. Her homemade rolls and pies were second to none. She also had a great love for cooking and baking, and countless meals were prepared not only for large family gatherings, but also for the bereaved, the sick or the hungry. Anyone who passed through her door was offered something to eat, whether it be a plate, piece of pie, or just something to drink. There were always leftovers and quite often, she called ''the nurse'' neighbor to come eat! She loved her family and extended family so very much.

Wilma had a big Servant heart and a strong desire for caring for others. There were countless family and extended family who were cared for both in and out of her home in times of illness, and many in times of death. She was a strong, independent, take charge, no-nonsense woman. A godly woman who believed that nothing was more important than seeing to the needs of her family and seeing to the needs of others. At Christmas time, she would make sure that not only did she buy for her family, but she also would buy many miscellaneous ''neutral'' gifts that were at the ready should someone stop by that she thought might need a gift. Her homemade Christmas candies and goodies were a must, and to this day, her recipes are treasured.

In 2008, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The strong, independent, take charge, no nonsense woman was never able to accept this, and she fought a long hard fight against the disease for 13 years. Though her journey was difficult and sad at times, she continued to make a difference and Alzheimer's could not quench the love deep in her heart. There was always a smile, lots of hugs, a desire to help, gratitude to anyone helping her, and her love of people. She absolutely loved the little angels in her life and her greatest joys were Ruby, TaLynn and McKenzie. Of all that Alzheimer's took from her, it could not take away the lives that she touched, or the example she set of how love always wins, even in spite of a disease such as Alzheimer's.

The family wishes to thank the many loving people who touched Wilma's life in the years she suffered from Alzheimer's. There were many angels sent by God to touch her and to touch the lives of those who loved her most, her family. Caregivers, nurses, aides, VA residents, neighbors and friends all seemed to ''adopt'' her as Momma. They all loved her. Most worthy of mentioning are her Caregivers over the years; Kelly, Judy, Marion and Bethanne. They were and always will be cherished for all they have done for our family, and most especially for Momma.
We are ever thankful for the staff, both in the Arkansas State Veterans Home administration and in the Heroes Home 2 for their kind and loving care in always making Momma and her family feel at home. Their comfort and patience when Momma was being a bit of a stinker was always with dignity and caring, and sometimes even a few giggles. Always with love.

We would also like to thank Alzheimer's Arkansas for always providing resources to our family in dealing with such a cruel disease. Always at the ready when we didn't know what to do, they are a blessing to countless thousands of families.

To our FaceBook friends and church families, we cannot begin to express how much the endless prayers, special cards, uplifting words of encouragement and support have meant in lifting up this precious woman who has been the matriarch of our family. You will never know how much a part of this Journey you have been and how far you have carried us, especially Tammy and Wilma. May you each be blessed or be a blessing to someone in some way.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday May 5, 2021 at Levy United Methodist Church, 701 W 47th St, No. Little Rock, AR 72118 with Pastors Jimmy Mosby and Greg Comer officiating. Visitation with family will be at the church at 9:30am with a service to follow at 10:30. Those who attend are asked to wear purple in honor of Wilma's Alzheimer's journey. Interment will be at 1:00-1:20 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W Maryland Ave, N. Little Rock AR 72120. Pall bearers are John Johnson, Matt Johnson, Michael Parchman, Jeff Henson, Ryan Faulk and Eric Schultz. Honorary Pall bearers are Carl Parchman and Bob Williams.

The family asks that if desired, memorials in Wilma's memory may be made to Alzheimer's Arkansas at the following link: https://app.mobilecause.com/f/2v4n/n?vid=il93m

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