Evelyn Edmisten Funderburk's Obituary
Evelyn Edmisten Funderburk, ALBEMARLE --- Mrs. Evelyn Edmisten Funderburk, 80, passed away on Monday, December 22nd at Trinity Place in Albemarle. Funeral services for Mrs. Funderburk will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 3rd in the Chapel at Stanly Funeral Home, 1835 Badin Road in Albemarle with Pastor John Futterer officiating. “Eve” was born in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina on June 21, 1945 to the late Shuford Critcher Edmisten and Della Dare Edmisten. No matter where life’s journey took her, she always considered Boone her home and had a love for her mountain community and her ASU Mountaineers like no other. She was a 1963 graduate of Appalachian High School in Boone, North Carolina. She remained in Boone while attending Appalachian State University, completing her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1967 and her Master of Arts in Special Education in 1968.
Evelyn was a devoted advocate for children and families and a respected leader in the mental health community. She served for many years at both Western Carolina Center and Broughton Hospital, contributing to statewide mental health initiatives. Evelyn later dedicated a decade of service as a child and adolescent counselor at the Gaston County Mental Health Center. She concluded her professional career as the Coordinator of the Parents as Teachers Program with the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children. Evelyn found deep purpose in her work, positively impacting countless children and equipping families with the tools needed to support healthy early development.
Evelyn was deeply involved in the Statesville, North Carolina community, where she and her late husband, Mac, made their home for 20 years. A devoted Rotarian, she served as past president of the Rotary Club of Statesville Fourth Creek and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of her service. Evelyn was also a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Statesville.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years Ervin “Mac” Funderburk, Jr. in May of 2024. Survivors include her stepdaughter and beloved “daughter of the heart” Elizabeth Funderburk Olivieri (Geoff) of Albemarle, North Carolina; two grandchildren Gavin Olivieri of Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Graylin Olivieri of Albemarle; brother, Harold Edmisten (Maxine) of Concord, North Carolina; brother-in-law and sister-in-law James Funderburk (Sue) of Altavista, Virginia; nephews Harold Edmisten (Craig) of Mill Spring, North Carolina, Derek Edmisten of Concord, North Carolina; Jeremy Funderburk (Natalie) of Evington, Virginia and Nathan Funderburk (Crystal) of Evington, Virginia. The family extends much love and appreciation to Trinity Place and for the unwavering support provided by countless team members over the course of the last four years. Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) “Teammate Fund”, P.O. Box 947, Salisbury, NC 28145 or Tillery Compassionate Care, 960 N. 1st Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. Stanly Funeral Home is assisting the Funderburk family and online condolences may be offered at https://www.stanlyfuneralhome.com.
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