Reflections on the Life of Maryam Funches
This was posted by Sister Maryam’s (May Allah have mercy upon her) eldest son Isa Williams. I can’t say enough about the strength the family has shown in these difficult days
Reflections on the Life of Maryam Funches, Ed.D.By her daughter Zanjabil Williams-White
(As read at the Janazah Prayers, ICM, January 14, 2007)
Mary, Mert, MerNell, Auntie, Mimi, Nana, Sister Maryam or Mommy – no matter which name you knew her by, you knew and loved her well.
She was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece and a cousin. She loved and cherished her family tremendously. They were her foundation, her building blocks of her love of God. She was always eager to be with them to sit and talk, laugh and sometimes argue, but most of all just to love.
She was a friend and a close Muslim sister to many, making friends wherever she would go. Most importantly she kept them––managing to give lasting love, support, advice and sisterhood to each of the countless people.
She was more than a community activist; for a lot of people she was their community. She worked tirelessly not only for numerous blessed and worthy causes, but also for individuals, families and friends by opening her home to anyone in need and by giving generously from what Allah provided her. Many times she gave up the comforts of her own bed (and that or our beds also) to facilitate the needs of others.
She was a grandmother –– enjoying her time shared with her grandkids, showering them with love and affection and spoiling them like only a grandparent can.
She gave birth to four children, but she was a mother to many, many more –-touching the lives of all of our friends and countless others. She naturally took the youth under her wing –– teaching, advising, inspiring and admonishing them like a second mother and like the mother some never had.
Undoubtedly she faced some of her greatest challenges with my brothers and me, but these challenges she met with courage. We all grew closer and closer to our mother as we matured and as she taught us how to better love each other, forgive more, and accept and appreciate people as they are. Her remedy to most problems we talked and called about was to Dhikir (or remember Allah). Even though we didn’t believe it was that simple––it always was.
All of the love she showed, which we were sometimes too blind to see, InshaAllah, we all felt and understood near the end. She became no longer just our Mother, nor just our Muslim sister in Islam, she truly became our Best Friend.
Finally, and I believe most importantly (and I know she’d agree), she was a Muslim: she didn’t claim one group of Muslims over another; she did not label herself as any particular kind of Muslim; she was simply a Muslim. She prayed in many masjids no matter the “school of thought.” She traveled in many circles and mingled effortlessly with most Muslims, and she supported the growth and establishment of Islam anywhere.
Being raised in a strong and loving household enabled her to answer the call from God to Islam. She understood and recognized the beauty of Islam and the unity it offered to communities and to the world.
The shock and great sadness that some may have felt at the news of her passing perhaps may have had less to do with the suddenness of her death, but more to do with the loss of such a vibrant, wonderfully bright Light in our lives. My mother would want us all to remember her good works, remember her giving and loving heart, remember her warm and friendly smile, and to work towards the unity with each other that she practiced among so many. Let her light live on in all of us; pray for her forgiveness, and pray for her entry into Paradise so that one day we too may realize the fulfillment of these ayats of the Quran that she so embodied:
“Say, Truly my prayer and service of sacrifice, my life and death are all for Allah, Lord of the Worlds: no partner has He: this I am commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His Will.”
-6:162-163
Filed under: Black American Muslims
Subhanallah, that was beautiful! May Allah have mercy on her.
Greetings,
I knew Sister Maryum for a short while, of which she touched the lives of not only myself but my children. We were inshallah in the process of making plans to fulfill many missions. She was truly a “gem” a true treasure that I will cherish inshallah for many years to come!
I say to the family may Allah keep you all with his care and please continue in her mission!
To Sister Maryum I will say, My Sister, You Are My Sister, May Allah be pleased with your life and sacrifice! An may Allah grant you entry into PARADISE!
Your Sister and Friend,
Sister Linda
I would like to thank everyone for all the kind words regarding my AUNT. She will truly be missed by all of her family and friends. My Aunt has been a Muslim for as long as I can remember. Never once did her religious beliefs stop anyone in our family from loving neither her nor her children (my 1st cousins). She taught us to love people for who they are. I know that’s why her family was so comfortable at the funeral. She was a true Muslim and she was put to rest well.
Thank you all for loving my Aunt as much as I love her. She will truly be missed. She taught me so much about life and how to be a good person.
Sister Maryam’s niece,
Yolonda
Assalaum Alaikum to my fellow sisters and brothers. I met Sister Maryam when I took my shahadah on April 16, 2005. She became my mentor, friend, teacher, and sister. We talked for hours from the tinyest things to how are days were. She was proud of her children and the wonderful accomplishments they made. Her kids and grandchildren were the twinkles in her eyes. When she spoke of anyone and even her family it was with love, compassion, and understanding.
I will miss the weekends I would come up and we would go to ICOMD to take care of things, run errands, or just sit and discuss questions I would have in Islam. Alhumdillah I have learned allot from Maryam, and was able to meet Isa, Hud, Jamillah, Akeel, Hadiyah, but in thoughts I got to know Zanjibil and her kids through Maryam talking about her trip to North Caro;ina.
The memories I have will be treasured for a lifetime. She has touched many and will continue to through her works, children, family, and friends.
As Maryam has been a blessing to many, may Allah see the wonderful works, sacrifices, and the Muslim life she lived and open the doors to Paradise and grant you entry.
Sister, Friend, and Soror -
Sadiyah Hughes
MashaAllah, those of us in the metal building missed this part of the service and I’ve posted it over on my site so more can benefit in sha Allah.
I knew your Sister Maryam as Mary Nell in the Lawrence Co District more than than 50 years ago and I love her as a school friend as we were in the same school from 1st to 12th grade. She was playful, loving and kind to all. After graduation, I did not see her gain until she came to Jackson, Ms for a visit in the early 80’s. She was still the same Mary Nell that I had known for years, but as a Muslim Sister she was calmer and I must say that even though she was in my home several times during her time here: she did change from her Muslim beliefs and practices.
I knew your Sister Maryam as Mary Nell Funchess in the Lawrence Co. School District more than 50 years ago and I loved her as school friend as we were in the same class for many of those years. She will be remembered as playful, kind, loving and trying to be a mother to all. After graduation, I did not see her again until she came to Jackson, MS for a visit in the early 80’s. She was still the same Mary Nell that I had known for years, but as a Muslim Sister, she was calmer and more grounded. Even though she had accepted the Muslim faith, she visted my home several times while she was here. She did not change her beliefs and/or her duties to her her faith. During those visits, we remembered our youth, discussed our faith differences, but we remain friends.
I offer my condolences to her family and friends for such a great loss. She was a part of my youth and that is gone, but those of us who knew her during those years(Class of 1970) will miss not seeing her ever again in this life.
I heard of Dr. Funches’ passing this evening and was deeply saddened. I assisted Dr. Funches with completing her dissertation. I was so excited for her when it was confirmed she would receive her degree. She was not only passionate about all of her research and interests, but knowledgeable and well-informed. I have been much influenced by her desire to help others, rather than benefit from the “glory” of qualitative research. I will certainly miss Dr. Funches’ encouragement and excitement for learning and serving others.
I just did a google search looking for MaryAm and just learned she had passed away. I’m sitting here crying cause I didn’t know and I thought she had been busy with work since she had graduated.
I’m from New Orleans and I attended school (Argosy) with her. she came to New Orleans several times and she was there for me when I passed my dissertation defense.
We worked on her dissertation about the hodge experiences until it was accepted.
Please, please contact me at the email address listed . I did not know.
My email address is kathy.causey@us.army.mil