Obituary of Dora "Rita" Stanley Stallard

Dora “Rita” Stanley Stallard, 103, died peacefully at her home in Roanoke, Virginia, September 5, 2018.  She was born, May 26, 1915, in Wise County, Va., the fourth child of eleven born to Calvin Stanley and Dusty Hamilton Stanley.

“Rita” was predeceased by the father of her six children, first and only husband, James, and daughter, Elizabeth.  She is survived by her sons--Loyal, Wayland, and Dewey--and daughters, Mavis and Rita Jo.  Also surviving her are one sibling, Lorene, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was a diligent mother and caring shepherd for her six children as well as a ‘second mother’ to a special nephew, J. D.  Accomplished seamstress, homemaker, really good cook, were among her many talents.  She was industrious to a fault--‘lazy’ was not found in the dictionary she used. 

Rita’s connection to the earth was demonstrated in her love of gardening, both vegetables and flowers.  When she learned the biblical promise that the ‘meek shall inherit the earth’ (Psa. 37:11) and the ‘righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever’ (Psa. 37:29), she said ‘that’s for me.’    As a result, she became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the mid 1950’s and has remained a faithful Witness until her death.  Her confidence that she is in Jehovah God’s memory and will be resurrected back to life on earth when the earth is restored to a paradise comforted her when death approached.

The family thanks Dr. Clifford Nottingham for the many years of medical care and sound advice provided to Mom; the services provided by Medi Home Health; and the compassionate care supplied by the Good Samaritan Hospice team.  Invaluable was the assistance provided by Sue B., an LPN with many years of experience in geriatric care, the help of Stephanie F., CNA,  Linda G., and friends of the family who assisted with Mom’s care in her home, providing comfort at the end of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the worldwide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY  12589-3299.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road.  Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton, Va. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home.  366-0707