Sherri Lynn Milburn

Sherri Lynn Milburn, age 68, of Marion, IL passed away suddenly at 12:55 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at her home with her husband at her side.
She was born in Marion, IL on July 1, 1956, the daughter of William Eugene and Emma Jean (Parks) McDonald.
Sherri attended school at Arnold View, Pittsburg and Marion, IL and was a graduate of Marion High School Class of 1974. She continued with her education attending at Liberty University of Lynchburg, VA for a year.
She was united in marriage to David Lee Milburn on May 29, 1976, in the Pittsburg Free Will Baptist Church of Pittsburg, IL and together they have shared nearly 49 years of marriage.
In her childhood years, she attended Walnut Hill Freewill Baptist where she accepted Jesus at an early age. As a teen, she began teaching piano lessons out of her home. After her father began pastoring, she then attended Rock Springs Freewill Baptist Church and Pittsburg Free Will Baptist Church, where she was a member. She worked alongside her parents and loved playing the piano, playing the organ, working with the bus ministry, teaching teens, and serving in any area where she could meet the need. Later, she worked for Marion Memorial Hospital as a Physical Therapy Aid. After moving to Nashville, TN in 1980 for David to attend Free Will Baptist Bible College, she worked at Vanderbilt Hospital in the Business Office. While her husband was pastoring Bakerville Free Will Baptist Church near Bonnie, Illinois Sherri embraced her role as a partner in ministry. She often played the church piano during services, was involved with the youth of the church, directed music and drama programs, and worked each year at Camp Hope. During this time, she also drove grain trucks for farmers, worked as a substitute school bus driver for Dodd's school, and again taught piano lessons. It was during this time that Sherri began to suffer from chronic health conditions relating to a surgical procedure which impacted her life from that point forward.
She was a founding member and officer of G-PACT, a non-profit organization that provides services to people who suffer from digestive tract paralysis including Gastroparesis. She served on the board and also as support to newly diagnosed individuals.
She had varied interests and hobbies. She loved playing the piano. She accompanied her mother from an early age and when the extended family gathered, she would be found at the piano surrounded by singing cousins, aunts, and uncles. She enjoyed being outdoors in general and mowing specifically. She played softball into adulthood. She kept her motorcycle license valid into her sixties. She liked dogs and they liked her. But her biggest interest was in loving the Lord and from that flowed a deep love for people. She first loved her family including her aunts, uncles, and cousins. She loved her husband. She loved her friends. She loved the elderly, and she loved the young. She loved her children deeply. Her grandchildren she considered a special gift as she had not anticipated living to truly be known by them. She truly valued individuals and was often a listening ear with a word of encouragement. She was also absolutely full of fun. The tales of her legendary practical jokes are favorites. She loved gadgets, the weirder the better. She missed and grieved her brother from the day he died. And yet, she LOVED to laugh, and it was a special joy for her to make others laugh.
As time passed, she shifted from being an in-person "doer" to a different role. She was often house and bed bound, and she asked the Lord for a continued ministry. She became a fierce prayer warrior. She prayed day in and day out. Her prayers were specific and persistent with written lists and alarm reminders. Her petitions were heard.
Throughout her decades-long illness in which she suffered much pain and hardship, she wholly rejected bitterness, and she embraced JOY at every turn. The joy of the Lord and her unwavering faith in His goodness was her strength. What an example to all who knew her! Glory to God for a life well-lived.
She is survived by her husband, David L. Milburn of Marion, IL; two children, Kari White and husband, Drew of Clarksville, TN and Terry Milburn and wife, Lyndsay of Crab Orchard, IL; four grandchildren, Emmalyn and Sula White of Clarksville, TN and Blake and Wyatt Milburn of Crab Orchard, IL, a host of cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, other extended family and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Terry McDonald.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL.
The visitation will be at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 28th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be at the funeral home on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Kenneth Blumenstock presiding.
Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery of Marion.
For those who prefer, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to "Camp Jericho." Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed c/o Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL 62959.
For more information, call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.