Mary Cleveland Stalnaker

Mrs. Mary Lettie Cleveland Stalnaker, 106, of Rhodes Dr., Elberton, GA passed away peacefully Friday, December 30, 2016 Spring Valley Nursing Home.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was born August 18, 1910 in Bowman, GA to the late Edwin Fortson Cleveland and Mary Ella Vickery Cleveland and was the oldest child. Mary was married to the late Hubert Stalnaker who passed away in 1989.

Mary was a lifelong resident of Elbert County. As a young child, her family lived near Bowman, GA on Broad River on her grandfather Vickery’s farm. Later, they lived in the Harmony Community where she she joined Harmony Baptist Church. She attended Centerville School. She has been a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Elberton and taught Sunday School for many years.

She was never one to have idle hands. For many years, at their home out on the Athens Highway, Mary and her husband, Hubert operated Mary’s Flower Garden where she grew and sold all kinds of flowers. She continued to enjoy her love of flowers through the years as she learned how to paint with water colors, and then later on painting China. She continued with her crafts up until just a few years ago.

Mary loved the history of her family and the Elbert County area being a member of the Elbert County Historical Society for a number of many years.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, Charlie Hudson; three grandchildren Kendall Hudson (Muff), Phillip Hudson (Julie) and Amy Shelton (Rogers); three great-grandchildren Clarke Shelton, Madison Hudson and Emily Hudson. She is also survived by a beloved first cousin, Martha Vickery Hewell and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her siblings Lucille Johnson (F.A.) and James Cleveland (Camille).

Memorial services to celebrate her life will be held 3PM, Monday, January 2, 2017 in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Purvis officiating. Inurnment will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2-3PM just prior to the service at Berry Funeral Home.

Flowers are optional and memorials may be in her memory to the Senior Adult Ministries of First Baptist Church of Elberton 132 Heard St. Elberton, GA 30635.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Mary Lettie Cleveland Stalnaker.