Dollie Velora Stigall was the eighth and final child born to Jesse Henry and Mary Emaline (Ussery) Davis, on Sept. 23, 1932.
The beloved mother/mom to Brenda, Debbie and Gary died on May 1, 2011. Anticipating her arrival, in Heaven stood her precious departed husband, George! They had married on Aug. 2, 1950. Separated at his death on Nov. 26, 2007, but again united forever more, he will love showing off his “Baby Doll.”
In addition to her parents and husband, she had seven siblings again awaiting the arrival of their baby sister. Brothers, Floyd, Terrell and Harry Davis and sisters; Lee Thomas, Mildred Pasley, Edith Graves and Wilma Connell, are no doubt excited about their family again being complete.
Dollie enjoyed working (often stating she loved punching that time clock). She spent many years employed at Bayley Mfg. in Visalia, Calif.; working along side George in their new and used furniture store in Tulare, Calif., and totally loved her last job as cook at Norwood School, where she spent many years making students feel special with an extra helping of food, kindness and love!
Serving up big heaps of love and food were her ministries! She excelled at both! Many, many, many were blessed to reap the benefits of her love and coveted the opportunity to eat her home cooking or baking.
Her family was her pride and joy!! She laughed when we laughed and cried when we cried. She was a true mother bear, protecting her own!! She gave no nonsense and uncompromising love to everyone of us and left each one of us with the feeling that we were her favorite!!
Her surviving favorites include three children: Brenda Morgan and husband, Todd, of Seymour, Debbie Peterson and husband, Jimmy, of Highlandville, and Gary Stigall and wife, Lisa, of Ava. The seven grandchildren that she adored and formed a special bond with each are: Jeff Morgan (Tara), Brandy Peterson Baca, Michael Morgan (Samantha), J.J. Peterson (Vicky), Justin Peterson (Cassie), Matt Stigall (Alexandria) and Meshali Stigall Jackson (Ross). She was further blessed with 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Those blessings go by the names of: Joey, Jake, Cayleb, Zach, Haylee, Jeremiah, Solomon, Grace, Arabella, Jesse, Wyatt, Dylan, Nicholas, Lizzy, Baby Joey, and Jazzy. She was anticipating the soon arrival of #15, Reed!
She leaves numerous others who called her aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, friend, co-worker and “she was just like a mother to me”!!
A friend wrote: “for that spunky spirit not to be a part of everyday life deeply saddens me.” She was a “spit fire”, but, she was our spit fire, our life will never be the same, our earthly hearts are broken.
She now resides in that mansion that her Savior, Jesus Christ prepared, her desire was…that the circle would not be broken; please make your plans to visit her there.
Yes mother, you were right…We’re gonna miss you when you’re gone, we’re gonna miss you by your walk, we’re gonna miss you by your talk, but you took a piece of our hearts!!
Funeral services were held Friday, May 6, at 2 p.m., at Norwood Assembly of God Church with Gary Stigall and Bob Page officiating.
Burial was in Thomas Cemetery, Norwood, under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Homes, Hartville.
