Wilma Marie Crites Seabaugh

Wilma Marie Crites Seabaugh was born February 3, 1926 in Jackson, Missouri on a farm that is now Kimbleland Golf Course. Her parents were Rudolph Columbus Crites and Clora Alice Seabaugh Crites. Wilma was the baby of the family. She had one sister, Virgie May Crites Zoellner, and three brothers, Glenn Crites, Loy Crites, and Linus Crites. Wilma went to elementary school at Williams Creek School in Jackson and then to Jackson High School. Wilma was a very mild-mannered child and it carried over into adulthood. She didn't voice her opinions on things and was known for never answering with a yes or a no, but would say, "Doesn't matter, or whatever, or maybe, or I don't care, or I guess so." Wilma married Leo Seabaugh on December 8, 1945 at Maple Avenue Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. After getting married, they lived in Cape Girardeau in a house that they had built to have their family in. Wilma worked at the hosiery mill in Jackson before she was married. After marriage and moving to Cape Girardeau and having two children, she babysat other children for families in her home. She was a homemaker and babysitter until 1962 when she went to work at Cape Furniture Manufacturing until her retirement. Wilma liked to sew and made many of her own clothes and later made clothes for her daughter, Kathy. Her son, Kenny, tells of a time that Wilma made herself and Kathy dresses and made Kenny and Leo shirts to match their dresses. Leo had learned leather tooling when he was in the Navy and later taught Wilma the craft. They sold handmade leather purses that they made together. After retirement they did wood crafts together. He cut out items that she would then paint. They would sell their products at local craft fairs. Both Leo and Wilma enjoyed socializing with people at the craft fairs. Wilma and Leo loved fishing, playing cards, and dancing. They also did a lot of traveling. Wilma grew up in a Christian home attending a Lutheran Church where she was baptized and joined the Lutheran Church. After marriage and moving to Cape Girardeau, she became a member of Maple Avenue Methodist Church, which is the church that Leo had grown up in. They both took part at church teaching Sunday School and MYF Methodist Youth Fellowship. Wilma was a good role model and taught others how to love and be content. She found strength through her faith in Jesus Christ. She fought her way back from seizures that made her need to learn to walk, talk, and live again. After which she moved into Capetown Assisted Living and became very happy there. Later she fell and caused a brain bleed, which ended with emergency brain surgery and again had to learn to walk, talk, and live again. Wilma became very social, living at Capetown and joining into all of the activities there. She also made many friends there. When remembering Wilma, we think of a sweet, spirit loving, good natured, and happy lady. The following are a few memories of Wilma we would like to share. "I made him once I can't make him again," was her answer when Kathy would say, "Mom make Kenny leave me alone." She had a lifelong friend. Her name is Janie Peel Niswonger, who she went to elementary school with. Their families were close friends and Wilma and Janie remained friends for life. One of her happiest times was a surprise visit from Janie to Wilma's 98th birthday party on February 3,2024. We all loved for Wilma to draw a circle on our back and say "I draw this little round circle for someone to punch." Then Wilma would punch it. At Christmas she always had two aggravations. One of the kids would turn her NOEL letters into Leon on her fireplace mantel. The other aggravation was small wooden blocks that spelled MERRY CHRISTMAS and when the family was there, someone would go to the fireplace mantel and move around her blocks. Of course, it was lots of laughs with her trying to figure out who did it. Wilma has two children: Kathy Sadler and her husband, Larry Sadler, Kenny Seabaugh and his wife, Joan Seabaugh. Wilma has four grandchildren: Allison Sadler Davis and her husband, Dr. Ryan Davis, Greg Sadler and his wife, Dr. Kate Higgins Sadler, Jessica Seabaugh McGinty and her husband, Charles McGinty, Rebecca Seabaugh and her husband, Kermit Gardner. Wilma has eight great-grandchildren: Raleigh, Brogan, Grayson, and Sarah McKinley Davis, Ellinore Sadler, Warren and Norah McGinty, and Leo Gardner. Friends may call 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 pm Monday, May 13, 2024 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will be at Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society.

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Wilma Marie Crites Seabaugh

February 3, 1926 - May 11, 2024