Mimi Voelker

Mimi H. Voelker, 78, died Friday, October 17, 2025. She was born on October 28, 1946, in the Philippines and was the daughter of the late Benito and Luisa Chaves Misola. She was the wife of James Voelker, and they celebrated 49 years of marriage in July.

She graduated with a degree in accounting in the Philippines. San Miguel Corporation and the Asian Development Bank employed her. She moved to the United States and was employed by the United Nations in New York City. She later worked at the World Bank, Washington, D.C., and retired after 26 years.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughters, Susan Shaffer of Lynchburg and Deborah (Justin) Pettit of Lynchburg; grandchild, Melody Pettit; sister, Efraima (Hernando) Yoingo of Houston, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Segundo Misola, Isabelo Misola, Francisco Misola, and sisters, Nancy Bautista and Aniceta Chaves.

Mimi accepted Jesus at an early age and read the Bible daily. She enjoyed traveling. As a member of the World Bank, she traveled throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa. Her family will miss her and will always be in their hearts.

Private visitation and service will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in the chapel of the Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502, on her birthday. It was her desire to be cremated.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.

She is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone,

Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,

Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

Or you can be happy for tomorrow

because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone,

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, Be empty and turn your back,

Or you can do what she would want:

Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.