Abbie Oleta Stamey was born January 12, 1915 in Sipe Springs, Comanche County, Texas and passed away in Dallas, Texas on Monday, January 11, 2016, one day shy of her 101st birthday. A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, & friend, she will be remembered by all that knew & loved her. She always had a smile & kind words for everyone. She loved to laugh, shop, travel, & spend time with her family. Oleta was one of three children of Robert C. & Mary Frances (Runkle) Smith. She married her high school sweetheart, John Bernard (J.B.) Stamey, On July 25, 1935 under an oak tree on the old highway between Sipe Springs & Rising Star,Texas. After moving to Dallas in the 40's, the family joined Elmwood United Methodist Church, where she has remained an active member for the past 67 years, including the UMW, church bazaars & other activities. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, J.B.; by her parents; her brother, Wilson Smith; her sister, Amanda Sprayberry; her oldest daughter, Jerry Stamey Starr and husband, Gordon (G.G.) Starr; and son- in- law, Michael Presley. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Presley; son, John B. (Bud) and wife, Janel; son, David and wife, Dee. Also known as Mema, she is survived by her grandchildren, Mike Starr (Sherry), Leta Daugherty (Jerry), Garry Starr, Jennifer McKelvey (Walter), Amy Hansen (Dan), Patrick Presley, Julie Minialof (Rob), Marci Stamey, John B. Stamey IV, Katie Viator (Tony), John David Stamey (Sheila), and Carrie Aman (Mark); also survived by 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way, along with several nephews, nieces & many other loving relatives and dear friends. Family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm at Jaynes Memorial Chapel in Duncanville. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Amy Spaur & Rev. Earnest Walt at Elmwood-El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church, 1315 Berkley Ave., Dallas, on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Little Bethel Cemetery in Duncanville next to her beloved husband, J.B. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Mike Starr, John David Stamey, John B. Stamey IV, Patrick Presley, Tony Viator, & Walter McKelvey. The family wants to thank her wonderful caregivers from Home Instead Senior Caregivers: Janet Giddion, Claudia Finney, Regina Hughes, Bernadine (Bea) Elliot, Keisha Fridia and San Juanita (Janie) Vasquez. We also want to thank Judy Newman and Paige Lamb for helping to keep her as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside. We are so thankful for all of the loving care these "girls" have given to our precious "Mema".
Published in Dallas Morning News on Jan. 15, 2016