Sandra Kay (Eldred) Funderburk

Sandra Kay Eldred was born in Pecos Texas on February 28, 1943. She passed away peacefully at her home in Bedford Texas on January 15, 2025. During the year preceding her death, Sandy received the most loving care from her husband Noel and many other caregivers.  

Sandy was predeceased by her parents Thelma Eunice Brown and Joe Bailey Eldred. She is survived by her husband Noel Funderburk, daughters and son-in-laws Carol and Larry McCartney and Jennifer and Kevin Schramm and her beloved dog Pepper. 

If you wanted to see love in action, all you had to do was spend a little time in their home. They loved each other and all their friends in the most difficult of times and the good.  In one short year, I learned too much to place in a short obituary. So, I will highlight a few significant events of her life and a few of her special characteristics.

Sandy met Noel at the Dairy Mart in Pecos Texas in the summer after Noel's freshman year in college.  Noel pulled into the parking lot of the Dairy Mart and Sandy was in the car next to him.  He says when she rolled the window down and smiled at him that he thought he was looking at the prettiest girl in the world.  They dated six years so Sandy could graduate from high school and complete her Bachelor's of Science degree majoring in psychology.  She accomplished that goal on May 29, 1964.  Then they married on June 13, 1964. 

After the wedding, they moved to Waco. Sandy began working at Hillcrest Hospital School of Nursing as a secretary. Noel taught in the Nursing School and was Microbiology Department Head in the hospital. Then when the state of Texas passed a law that mandated licensing of daycare centers, Sandy went to work serving eight counties around Waco. Her job was to visit and license all the daycare centers. Although Noel was concerned about her traveling alone, she covered her territory all on her own and drove home every night.

They moved to Denton in September 1967.  Sandy became a counselor at the Gainesville State School for girls (reform school). She remained there until she was midway through her first pregnancy. Back then when a woman was "showing" she couldn't continue to work at the reform school. When Carol was born, Sandy became a full-time stay-at-home mother. 18 months later their second daughter Jennifer was born. Noel proudly describes Sandy as an excellent money manager. She made her own baby food and washed cloth diapers, so the family got by on $240 a month. When they moved to Clear Lake City for Noel to work as the medical laboratory supervisor for NASA finances were easier.

They moved to San Antonio in 1975 for about three years. Sandy was trained to be a leader of small group Bible studies.  Sandy and Noel held discipleship group meetings in their home.  She made certain the folks in the meetings were comfortable and had the materials they needed to learn the lessons they were teaching.  

After the girls were in school, Sandy eventually began working with Dr. Howard Lang. Part of her duties there was to make the mixes used to desensitize people with allergies.

In her spare time, she liked to knit, paint, travel, and disciple women.  She was a woman of many talents. Sandy and Noel also loved to travel. From 1997 through 2005 they travelled to Brazil seven times on Mission trips. She would help Noel remember what he was to teach the pastors on discipleship. In Brazil, Sandy also helped children during Vacation Bible School (with the aid of a translator named Lara). During the next to the last trip, Sandy worked with GAVI (Grupo de Apoio a Vida) to help people who had AIDS/HIV. In that role, she worked with men and they were making bookmarks with the Scriptures on them that were being shared. Noel wasn't sure how that would be received, but they loved it and they loved Sandy.

Sandy and Noel loved to travel in their travel trailer. They visited many of the national parks.  

At a Women's Leadership group in Brazil, Sandy taught from Titus 2:3-4.  As Sandy was passing on to Heaven, Violet (a longtime friend and caregiver) was reading those very verses back to her. 

As another one of her caregivers, from my perspective, Sandy was full of wisdom.  At 81, she exuded peace and a joy of spirit that comes from a strong relationship with the Lord.  Sitting with Sandy was a real blessing to me in my spiritual journey.  Whenever I had something troubling me and I shared it with Sandy, often her wise words were "It really doesn't matter. God will take care of it." She knew what was important and what wasn't important.  She reminded me that God will take care of it as we let Him lead the way. 

Most importantly, Sandy knew where she was going when she left this world.  

To celebrate with joy and honor Sandy, please wear any shade of pink, instead of black, to the following services:

Visitation: 10:00-11:00 AM Chapel Room (Building F) Monday, January 27, 2025, at Cross Creek Church, 5300 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, Texas 76034. Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 AM in the Chapel Room in building F. If you are unable to attend services, a livestream is available at http://crosscreekchurch.com/funeral.