Tamera Lin Courtois was born on July 6, 1968 in Wichita, Kansas to Delbert Dean and Linda Faye (Cook) Winnard.  This is where the family made their home before moving to California when Tami was young.  Her dad then brought her back to Kansas to live with her grandparents in Milton.  Tami attended school in Norwich but would visit her family in California often.

At a young age, Tami decided to start a family in California and was blessed with Barbara, James Jr, Misti, and Robert.  A few years later she took her kids to be close to family in Michigan.  It was there she met her lifetime companion, William Dean Courtois in 1992.  They were blessed with two daughters, Amber and Billiejo.

Moving to Wichita in 2000, Tami was a manager in various places where she worked.  The family moved to Milton in 2010 and Tami went to work for the Argonia School District as the head cook.  Tami had obtained her GED in 1992 but later graduated with a high school diploma in 2017.

Family was very important to Tami, and they give her the credit for holding them all together.  She was instrumental in the lives of her children and grandchildren.  Tami loved to take care of all the local stray cats, helping others, going shopping in Wichita, playing Yahtzee and Uno, and was always drawing and sketching on paper.  Tami was a very strong woman and didn't want anyone crying for her.  She was a believer in her Savior, Jesus Christ and attended the Norwich United Methodist Church.

After a courageous battle with cancer and at the young age of 55, Tami passed away at her home in Milton on December 28, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her father, Delbert; son, James Richard Brown Jr; sister, Connie Jolene Winnard; nephew, Justin Dale Carson; grandparents, Elsie and Robert Winnard and Wanda and James Cook.  Tami is survived by her mother, Linda Henry of Michigan; sister, Angel Dawn Benson of Kentucky; best friend, William of the home; children: Barbara Lin Brown of Michigan, Robert Del Brown of Michigan, Misti Dawn Quintero (James) of Mississippi, Amber Chrystal Charbonneau (Tyler) of Milton, and Billiejo Danielle Booth (Jeremiah) of Valley Center; grandchildren: Breanna, Benjamin, Brenden, Bryan, Brent, Blake, Brooklyn, Cody, Ashley, Adyn, Travis, Copper, Miah, and Harper; great-granddaughter, Emersyn; uncles, Lester Christie and Stanley Winnard; aunt, Joyce Evans; other relatives and many friends.

Friends may view and register from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Graveside Service is 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at the Harper Cemetery with Pastor Mike Justice officiating.  After the service, the family will gather with friends at the Norwich United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Traditions Hospice and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058