Minnell Stem

Minnell Elsie Miller Stem, 93, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed through the Heavenly gates into her eternal home on July 13, 2017, in Hewitt, Texas. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 20, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr., Waco, Texas, with Dr. Larry Felice officiating. Interment will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. For those attending the service, please dress comfortably due to the heat.

Minnell was born February 15, 1924 in Waco, to William and Ellis Dailey Miller. She had one brother, Winston, who was almost ten years younger and very special to her. She attended Waco schools and graduated from Waco High School in 1941. Shortly before her graduation she met Wiley, the love of her life, at a party at the home of her future mother-in-law. She and Capt. Wiley W. Stem, Jr. were married on November 9, 1942 during the dark days of WWII. They were living in Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, when Wiley was shipped to North Africa with the 36th Infantry Division. Minnell, who was 18 years old and expecting their first child, returned to Texas to live with her parents until Wiley returned in June of 1945. Upon Wiley’s death in 2001, they had been married for 59 years and raised five children.

Minnell was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and husband, Wiley.

Survivors include daughters, Sherilyn and husband, Jerry Lewis, of Waco, Merilyn and husband, Dr. William Sutton, of Paris, Texas, Carolyn and husband, Dr. Mark Range, of Mart; sons, Wiley Stem III and wife, Tonette, of Lott, Judge Robert Stem and wife Celia of Marlin, and Pete Rowe (a cousin who was like a son) and wife, Karan, of Mart; grandchildren, Chuck Lewis and wife, Lisa, Chris Lewis and wife, Brenda, Dr. Louis Trenchard and wife, Kim, Todd Trenchard and wife, Talor, Clint Massman and wife, Cecelia, Katy Kupcak and husband, Jared, Travis Massman, Clay Range and wife, Laura, Scott Stem, Bryan Stem, Wiley Stem IV, Anita Stem, Sarah Stem, Robert William Stem, John Stem, Pete Rowe and wife, Noella, Blake Rowe and wife, Sherridan. Minnell is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren.

Minnell was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker to her family. She was dedicated, loving and patient with her children and admired by all who knew her. She loved her Lord Jesus and enjoyed worshiping and listening to Christian hymns.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Stoney Brook Assisted Living in Hewitt and Bluebonnet Health Care and Hospice for all their loving and personal care for their mother. Their many kindnesses will always be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St John’s United Church of Christ, Otto, Texas, Woodway United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, Paris, Texas, and the Humane Society Central Texas.

The Guest Book is available at www.gracegardensfh.com.

Visitation

Thursday July 20, 2017 , 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel

Chapel Service

Thursday July 20, 2017 , 2:00 PM at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel

Interment

Thursday July 20, 2017 , 3:30 PM at Waco Memorial Park