Dorothy "Dot" Burkholder Wimmer

Dorothy Jean Burkholder Wimmer, loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother, age 92, of Boones Mill, VA passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018. She was born on December 12th, 1925, a daughter of the late William and Ruby Burkholder. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Rev. Ralph J. Wimmer, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Betty B. Ungar and Josephine B. Wilkerson. She was also preceded in death by her in-laws, Claude and Nelly Wimmer, Carl Wimmer, Frances White, Helen Reid, and Margaret Nolan. She was lovingly called Dot-Dot by many who knew and loved her. Dot grew up on a small farm in Bedford County. She was a 1942 graduate of Montvale High School and a 1946 graduate of Madison College (JMU) and moved to Salem where she lived with her future sister-in-law (Helen), who ultimately introduced her to the love of her life, Ralph. Dot served as choir director at Boones Mill United Methodist Church where Ralph served as pastor for 35 years. She also taught Sunday- School there. At the time of her death, she was a faithful member of Rocky Mount United Methodist Church. For over 30 years, Dot taught music in several elementary schools in Franklin County and touched the lives of so many whom she taught. Dot was a member of Boones Mill Garden Club, Boones Mill Lions Club where she received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedication of humanitarian services, she volunteered at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, served on the Board of the Franklin County Library, and was a huge supporter of Helping Hands of Franklin County. Mama always made sure that her children were taken care of, had everything they needed and were always well fed. She went above and beyond for her children. Dot was a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dot is survived by her loving children, Ralph J. Wimmer, Jr. and his wife, Claire, Jeanne Banks and her husband, Marshall, Cyndee Holland, Sandra Funk and her husband, Timmy and her son-in-law, Dennis Holland. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer Cribbs (Wayne), Jason Wimmer (Katie), Miranda Banks, Joshua Banks, Mariah Banks, Cole Holland, Carrie Holland and Sarah Funk. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Madison Cribbs, Jordan Cribbs and Charlie Wimmer. Dot was a wonderful and loving mother and her whole family will miss her so much. The family takes comfort knowing that she lived a wonderful and full 92 years of life and that she is now in Heaven with Ralph, her parents and her siblings and with her Heavenly Father. Her family is thankful that she is no longer bed-ridden and her mind is clear from the dementia that took over the last 3 years. We were so blessed to have the best caregivers in the world over the past 3 years for Mama. They loved her and took such good care of her. We thank you so much Lisa (Nelly), Debbie (Min), and Tracey (Wendy). There are no words to express to you how thankful we are that you were the 3 that took care of our mother – as long as one of you were there with her, we never worried about her at all. Thank you so much. We would also like to thank the doctors and staff at Franklin Memorial Hospital who could not have been more compassionate and caring during Mama's last hours on earth. The family would like to thank all of those who have been praying and thinking of them and Dot during this time. Funeral services will be conducted from Rocky Mount United Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 with the Reverend Will Waller and Reverend Bruce Tuttle officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park. The family will accept flowers or memorial contributions may be made to the building fund at Rocky Mount United Methodist Church, 35 North Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 or to Helping Hands of Franklin County, 200 Dent Street, #A, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Friends may call between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home and Crematory, 62 VA Market Place Drive, Route 220 at Wirtz Road, Rocky Mount, (540) 334-5151.