Jimmie Stelley

Jimmie Lee May Stelley died Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Jimmie, the daughter of Joe Sidney May and Dovie Bolin May, was born on September 1, 1926 at her grandparents’ home in Blevins, Texas. She was reared in Waco, Texas, graduated from Waco High School and attended Lamar University. She married Lt. Arthur F. Stelley on June 15, 1945. Their first home was at Sherman, Texas where he was stationed.

Jimmie became a professed Christian at the age of 14 and practiced her faith throughout her life. In the three churches where she was a member during her lifetime she taught youth Sunday school, was WMU Director, Bible study director, church library director and served on numerous committees. An excellent musician, she also played both the violin and French horn and worked with children’s choirs. She was a member of the Christian Women’s’ Club in Waco for many years. Jimmie was a member of the Lamar University Faculty Wives Club and Committee Chair.

She was co-owner of A & J Insurance Agency, a property and casualty agency, for 20 years.

Jimmie had an aircraft pilot’s license and flew with her husband as co-pilot on business and pleasure trips for many years. She enjoyed traveling and took trips to most of the states, England, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Jimmie’s fist priority in life, after her church, was her family. She was a gourmet cook. When her children were young, before leaving for church each Sunday, Jimmie set the oven control timer so the Sunday dinner roast would cook while the family was away. Her family still treasures the memory of the returning from church to the wonderful aroma of the cooked roast that greeted them.

In later years the contact with her grandchildren and great grandchildren was a particular source of joy.

Jimmie is survived by her husband of 66 years, Arthur Stelley; her sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Wallace Martin; her brother-in-law Robert Stelley and wife, Laureen, of Rochester, Minnesota; her daughters, Linda and her husband Robert Butler of San Angelo, Frances and her husband Joe Orbeck of Gatesville, and Mary and her husband Bob James of Burnet; grandsons Sam and Thomas Butler, their wives and several grandchildren and great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Our family would like to thank the nursing staff in ICU at Providence Hospital and also Providence Hospice. Your skill and professionalism as you took care of our precious Mother was exceeded only by the compassion and kindness you showed us and we are profoundly grateful.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Drive, Suite 2, Waco, Texas 76707 or Christian Women’s Job Corps, P.O. Box 204-32, Waco, Texas 76702.

Following cremation by Grace Gardens Funeral Home and Crematorium, a celebration of Jimmie’s life will be held Tuesday, November 8th at 3:00 p.m. at Grace Gardens.

Memorial

3:00 ,Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Grace Gardens Funeral Home
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712