Wilma Ruth Strong died on September 12, 2013 in her home in Springfield, Missouri, having just celebrated her 82nd birthday. Wilma died at a good age and full of years (cf. Gen 25). Born in 1931, she grew up in and around Mountain Home, Arkansas. As a young woman, she moved to Springfield, where she became a legal secretary. She married Thomas Strong on November 5, 1955, at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. While in the army, their first child, Stephanie, was born. When Thomas began his law practice, the couple returned to Springfield. There, Wilma gave birth to two other children, John and David, and the family remained in Springfield for the remainder of her life. Wilma invested her energies building up and supporting the lives of others. Her family and her friends remember card games and conversations over cups of coffee. Throughout her life, Wilma served actively on various committees and women's circles at Grace United Methodist Church. The larger community also benefitted from her service with Meals on Wheels and other social services. Wilma, accompanied by her husband and family, consistently supported Missouri State University's athletics and its academic programs. In every case, Wilma contributed not just her time and effort, but she brought with her a warm positive atmosphere through her easy smile and welcoming heart. Wilma did not just live a long life, but a life of quality shared with others. Wilma is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas Strong, and her sister Barbara Wilson (Little Rock, Arkansas). Her children also survive her: Stephanie Strong Mitchell and her husband, Terry Mitchell (Ozark, Missouri); John ("Jack") Strong and his wife, Elizabeth Strong (Springfield, Missouri); David Strong and his wife, Heather Strong (Chicago, Illinois), and her daughter-in-law, Kristin Sims Strong (Springfield, Missouri). Wilma always loved seeing her grandchildren, all of whom survive her: Jamie Kalil, and her husband Tony Kalil (Springfield, Missouri); Mandy Moody and her husband, Canyon Moody (Los Angeles, California); Audrey Pauls, and her husband, Everett Pauls (Springfield, Missouri); Schyler Strong (Springfield, Missouri); Sadie Strong and Thomas Strong (both of Chicago, Illinois); as well as her step-grandchildren Jason Mitchell and his wife, Elizabeth, and son Ethan (Charlotte, North Carolina), Aaron Mitchell (Kansas City, Missouri), Martha Scott Burton, William Burton, and Elizabeth Burton (all of Springfield, Missouri). The family also wants to express their deep heartfelt thanks to Wilma's caregivers, who attended to her sensitively and professionally in her final years. The funeral service for the public will be held Monday, at 11:00 am, at Grace United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held thirty minutes prior to the service under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to The Missouri State University Foundation, 300 S Jefferson Ave. Suite 100; Springfield, MO 65806 (www.missouristatefoundation.org; 417-836-4143), earmarked for The Wilma Ruth Strong Scholarship Fund.