Martha Louise Stansberry

Louise Greenwell Stansberry passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2013. Louise was born on June 6, 1922, in the Dry Hill Community of Johnson County to Roderic Randolph and Glenn Smith Greenwell. She was a proud graduate of Watauga Academy located in the town of Old Butler. Louise attended the Elizabethton School of Business where she graduated in 1944. She married Daniel Lawson (D.L.) Stansberry on October 25, 1945. D.L. preceded her in death on March 2, 2000. Louise was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Dale and wife, Nell Greenwell; R. H. and wife, Juanita Greenwell; Bernice and husband, Park Stout; Opal Greenwell Boling; nephews Charles Greenwell and Sam Greenwell; and niece, Norma Lea Knight. She is survived by her son, Dan and wife, Sharon Hall Stansberry; her grandson, Daniel III and wife, Cindy Miles Stansberry; her great-grandson, Miles Daniel; and her great granddaughter, Lawson Elizabeth. She took great pride in her family and enjoyed telling stories of her childhood. Louise maintained a joy for life and cherished each moment she shared with Daniel and Cindy and her great-grandchildren, Miles and Lawson. Louise is survived by nephews Everette Boling and wife, Lois; Randy Stout and wife, Joan; Dean Stout and wife, Emma; Joseph Greenwell and wife, Jill; and Robert Friese and wife, Annette. Nieces Patricia Dove; Cheri Greenwell and husband, Ken Richey; and Bonnie Gardner and husband, Richard; a first cousin, Bitha Luster; and a sister-in-law, Lucille Plaster also survive. Louise was an adopted grandmother to the family of Leota Letterman; Steve and Leslie Letterman and their children Kason, Kenley, and Kielee; and Janet and Jeff Hartman and their children, Hunter and Hayden. She and D.L. operated a store in the Piney Grove section of Johnson City for more than thirty years, where they formed many lasting friendships. After leaving the farm life of her childhood in Johnson County, Louise returned to farming when she and D.L. purchased land and began breeding Angus cattle in the late 1960s. Louise was a person of great faith and a devoted member of Telford United Methodist Church. She loved working with young people and was known as a prayer warrior by her church family and friends. She was blessed with a positive outlook on life, a wonderful sense of humor, and a spirit of encouragement. Louise was a loyal friend and was blessed with many friends over her 91 years. Friends are invited to meet her family and share their memories on Sunday, September 15, between 3:00 and 5:00 and stay for Louises memorial service following visitation. Her graveside service will be conducted at Monte Vista Cemetery at 10:00 Monday morning. Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Collins, Marvin Grindstaff, Don Malone, Steve Letterman, Jeff Hartman, John Stone, Herman Tester, Max Williams, Troy Arnold, Mark Foster, Conley Dockery and the members of the Board of Directors of Watauga Academy Alumni Association. The family would be honored to receive a note sharing a favorite memory of Louise. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to the Youth Programs at Telford United Methodist Church, 1775 Old State Route 34, Telford, Tennessee 37690 or Watauga Academy Alumni Association, P O Box 261, Butler, Tennessee 37640. The family is very appreciative of the professional staff at Lakebridge Health Care Center for their support and compassionate care of Louise during her last weeks of life. There is a celebration of life service scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 5:00pm in the South Chapel of the Morris Baker Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 3:00pm until time of service at 5:00pm. A committal service will be conducted on Monday, September 16, 2013 at 10:00am at the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery.