Barbara Stamper

MARION, Va. - Barbara Jean Overbay Stamper, age 53, died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, at Francis Marion Manor Nursing Home following a long and difficult illness which she courageously fought.
Barbara was born on Feb. 25, 1955, in Shirley, Mass., a daughter of the late James Stanley Overbay and Hazel Poston Overbay. Barbara's father was in the Army for 20 years, thus the family traveled extensively. Barbara spent her early childhood years in Massachusetts, Northern Virginia, the D.C. area, Germany and Maryland.
In 1963, Barbara's dad retired from the Army as a master sergeant and moved his family back to his hometown of Marion. Barbara then attended Marion schools, graduating from MSHS on June 3, 1973. She then graduated from Smyth County Vocational School and Smyth County School of Practical Nursing on March 8, 1974. Barbara worked as an LPN at Smyth County Community Hospital, mostly in geriatrics from 1974 to 1981, at which time she graduated from Virginia Highlands Community College, Virginia Appalachian Tri-College Nursing Program with an associates degree in applied nursing science.
After graduation and successful completion of testing for RN licensure in the state of Virginia, Barbara then spent the next several years working at SCCH in various areas of the hospital, including the emergency room, step-down telemetry unit, pediatrics and the medical/surgical unit. In 1996, she changed her career path and obtained employment at SWVMHI as a psychiatric nurse. She worked until 2002, when she retired for medical reasons. At the time of her retirement, Barbara was a head nurse on the admissions ward at SWVMHI.
In 2003, both her parents became chronically ill and she cared for them in their home until their death, fulfilling their wishes to remain at home until their passing.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Judie Elaine Overbay Goodman, and parents, James and Hazel Overbay.
Barbara considered herself a very blessed and lucky woman to be able to achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Her parents said many times that being a nurse was the only dream she ever shared with them.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband and dedicated caregiver, Charles "Buster" Stamper; her two brothers, James "Jimmy" Stanley Overbay II, who helped care for their parents as well as for Barbara, and her younger brother, Artie, who was like a son to her; her brother-in-law, Denny Goodman; nephew, James and wife Teresa Goodman; special great-nephew and great-niece, Jacob Goodman and Kimberly Goodman; brothers-in-law and wives, Bob and Carolyn Stamper, Jack and Mary Ann Stamper, John and Connie Stamper, Jeff and Rhonda Stamper, Barbara Stamper, Linda and Jim Mros, Judy and Richard Brisson, Brenda Hayden, Jimmy Stamper, Tim and Tina Stamper and Ray and Cassie Stamper; three nieces, Andrea, Jama and Audria Overbay and her fiancé Eric Hicks; three great-nephews, Cody and Caleb Bennett and Collin Pennington; and one great-niece, Crystal Harris. Additional survivors include her dear friend and caregiver, Nora Totten, who for the last eight years cared for her, and in fact, contributed a great deal to Barbara spending another eight years on earth with us. Other important dedicated caregivers included Ruth and Sue Myers, Betty Hash, Glenna Dancy, Debbie Overbay, Cousin Cathy and John Alden, 100 card project.
A special thanks to all the staff at Francis Marion Manor Nursing Home. They were fantastic.
Honorary pallbearers are John Stamper, Bob Stamper, Jeff Stamper, Jimmy Stamper, Jim Britton, Jay Overbey, Sam Vernon, Jennifer Quesinberry, Randy Pafford and Jason Pafford.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008, at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with the Rev. Jonathan Jonas and the Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Graveside services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6 until time of service at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com.
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Stamper family.

Notices for March 2, 2005 Smyth County News Thursday, March 3, 2005

Stamper James Walter Stamper, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, at the Francis Marion Manor after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was born June 16, 1915 in Smyth County to Harvey Emerson Stamper and Hattie Mae Powers. He was the oldest of 11 children. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He married Nannie Lucille Campbell on May 11, 1946. At the age of 70 in 1985, he retired from Brunswick Corp in Marion. He was a life member of the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667 and the American Legion Post 18. Three children, Edgar Lee, Avery Dale and Bonnie Lou; a granddaughter, Jessica Mae Stamper; sisters, Ruth Callahan and Madeline Blevins; and brothers, Paul, Robert, Coy, Earl, and Roy Stamper preceded him in death Survivors include his wife, Lucille, a resident of Francis Manor; daughter, Ruby Powers; her children, Drema Ellis Griffin, David Taylor, Diane Powers, and Stephen Powers; and her grandchildren; Jeremy and David Taylor; and Stephanie Ellis Poston; daughter and son-in-law, Sadie and "Jim" Brad Greer; their children, Laura and Lynn VanHoozier, Tammie Greer-Parks, Tonja Greer, James Bruce and Carrie Greer and their grandchildren; James Robert Owens, Randy Greer, Trevor VanHoozier, Sarah Greer, Colby Corvin; step- grandchildren, Casey and Bradley VanHoozier, Colton Hamm and Cheryl Irwin Kalapp; daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Ron Irwin; children, April Frost Joiner; children, Jimmy, Joey, and Chelsey Joiner and Jackie Frost, all of Florida; son, Don Ray; son, Millard Stamper; children, Tonya Stamper and two sons, James Carter and Jared Douglas Shelton, and David Shelton, Sharon and Michael Stamper; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Ola Stamper Coffey of Tampa Fla. and Ruby Stamper and Zeke Callahan of Roanoke; one brother and sister-in- law, Marvin and Irene Stamper of Chilhowie; and two aunts, Rose Lambert and Grace Overbay. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at 8 p.m. at the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with the Rev. Joe Powers and the Rev. Dennis Eller officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, at Grosses Creek Cemetery with military honors being rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. Memorial donations may be made to any church cemetery fund or veteran charity of your choice in his honor. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 2, 2005 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.
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Stamper, Thomas (T. W.) Age 73 of Vonore passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2001 at the Loudon Hospital. He was a veteran of U. S. Navy serving in the War. He was retired from his own business T. W. Stamper Excavating. T. W. was a member of the American Legion and VFW Post. Preceded in death by parents, Henry and Stella Stamper; brothers, Edgar, Ray and Hank Stamper; sister, Alma Mae Bowman. Survived by sons, Jim Stamper of Michigan and Steve of Lenoir City; brothers, Elmer, Willard, Lester Stamper all of Michigan and Ralph Stamper of Wisconsin; sisters, Irene Petrosky and Faye Nagel both of Michigan; several nieces and nephews; special friend, Delores Lee of Lenoir City. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Click Funeral Home, Lenoir City is serving the Stamper Family.