Pam Funderburg

Pamela Gaye (Tisdale) Funderburg, affectionately known by her Grands as “Lola”, peacefully entered Heaven’s gates on October 4, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 11, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Pampa with Rev. Byron Williamson and Rev. Bill Ashburn officiating. Pam made the decision to donate her body to the UT Southwestern Medical Center for further research on cancer. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory. The service will be livestreamed through the funeral home’s website.

Pam was born on March 17, 1961, to Billy Bob and Helen Tisdale in the country of the Philippines, where her parents served as missionaries for over 20 years. Around the age of 10, Pam and her family moved back to Texas where her father continued his ministry. Pam attended Bryan Adams High School in East Dallas, where she graduated in 1979. During this phase of life, Pam was actively involved in Casa View Baptist Church and was a member of the Bryan Adams Belles Drill Team. Upon graduation, Pam attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where her faith and caring personality continued to grow and shine. Pam studied elementary education and focused her time developing her teaching skills and creating life-long friendships. While at Hardin-Simmons, Pam was introduced to a rebellious, short shorts wearing former athlete named Johnny Funderburg. While on paper these two were no match, their personalities perfectly completed one another and the two were married in 1981.

Over the next few years, Johnny worked to obtain his Doctorate to pursue a career in the ministry. To support her husband and their growing family during this time, Pam held many different jobs, including serving as a House Parent for young girls at the Buckner Children’s Home in Dallas, Texas. Eventually, Johnny completed his Doctoral studies, and the two of them began their life-long journey together in the ministry.

Pam was the consummate “preacher’s wife”, serving faithfully along Johnny at each stop throughout their 40-year ministry together. She held many roles at each church they served, and threw herself at any project, volunteer opportunity or work that needed to be done. She led numerous Bible studies, spoke at Women’s conferences, organized vacation bible schools, decorated for events, and actively served in children’s and youth ministries. While Johnny led the sermons, all church members knew Pam was the true backbone of the ministry. She was truly a living example of the women spoken of in Proverbs 31.

In addition to her church service, Pam was an adored and valued elementary school teacher for nearly 30 years. She treated her students as her own children, focusing her efforts on loving each child individually, creating a fun and safe environment where they felt comfortable to be themselves and explore their own unique creativity. Her reputation as a beloved teacher was well-known, as Pam was consistently requested by parents to be their child’s teacher for the upcoming school year, and received countless awards, thank you cards and gifts from students and families. Her personality and God-given gifts truly light shined immensely through her years of teaching,

In the home, Pam was a loving, caring, patient, and present mother to her daughter, Kristin, and son, Ryan. She was the glue to their laughter filled home. Pam attended every event involving her children, always kept a clean and tidy home, and made sure the family was well fed with home cooked meals. Pam always made sure to give Kristin, Ryan, and Johnny her best version, and their lives are better because of her enormous love and influence.

Of all the titles she held, “Lola” was her favorite. Pam loved spending time with her 8 grandchildren whether it was going to the park, cooking together, going on trips, reading together, or buying them candy and presents. She alone kept Dollar General in business with her little trinkets she would constantly buy and hide throughout the house for her grandkids to find. Her many letters and cards written to her grandkids will forever be cherished, and they will always hear about the love Lola had for each of them.

Even during her time of sickness Pam’s faith and gentle spirit never wavered. She was truly a bright light to all those who knew her, and while she will be severely missed, we rejoice in knowing where her soul resides and hope to continue her legacy of love, kindness, gentleness and caring devotion to others.

Pam was proceeded in death by her beloved daddy Billy Bob Tisdale, her best friend Darla Mitchell, and her grandson Harrison Woolsey.

She is survived by her husband Johnny Funderburg of Amarillo; her daughter, Kristin Woolsey and husband Seth of Amarillo; and son, Ryan Funderburg and wife Lizzy of Dallas; and her grandchildren, Charlotte, Catherine, Charlie, Jake, Riley, Logan, Parker and Crawford; mother, Helen Tisdale; two brothers, Mark Tisdale and wife Debi and Paul Tisdale and wife Judy; sister, Becky Dickson and husband John; as well as countless nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be sent to Bill and Helen Tisdale Chapel in the Philippines. Servants of Christ International, Incl, Attn: Tisdale Chapel, 852 S. Carriage Dr., Milliken, Colorado 80543. www.ourchildrensblessings.com