MARY LEE STIDHAM REESE

Mary Lee Stidham née Reese, age 91, of Arcardia, FL / Big Stone Gap, VA , passed away at Sarasota Memorial on Saturday, February 15, 2020. 

Mary’s childhood home was Appalachia, VA. Mary loved the beauty of the mountains in all its splendor. Mary and her husband, Willard (Sam), lived in Ohio for a time; ultimately moving to Arcadia, Florida in 1995. Mary was a faithful believer in the Lord. She was currently attending the Port Charlotte Church of Christ. 

Mary was the quintessential Southern cook, gardener, and canner. Her love and devotion to Sam, her children, and grandchildren is a credit to who they are today. 

Mary enjoyed visiting family and friends over the years, oftentimes on camping trips or meandering along the Peace River on her and Sam’s pontoon boat. Those she leaves behind have a bounty of beautiful, happy memories that will be cherished until we meet with her again in heaven. She is most loved and missed. 

Mary is survived by her husband, Willard Samuel, with whom she shared a wonderful union of 72 years. Her sons and daughter-in-laws are Jerry Allen of Arcadia; Larry Wayne and Ava Stidham of Panhandle, Texas; and Randy Howard and Kym Stidham of Olympia, Washington. She has one daughter, Kathryn Marie Blanchard née Stidham of Mansfield, Ohio. Mary is also survived by five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Her brothers and their wives, Frankie and Jackie Bowman of Appalachia, and Gary and Carol of Appalachia, survive her as well. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Walter Van Buren and Charmia Lee Reese née Hartsock; four sisters Myrtle Marie Nakos née Reese; Christine Rossi née Bowman; Elizabeth Louise Bowman; and Joanne Bodanski née Bowman; and two brothers Milton Van Buren Reese and Donald Eugene Bowman. 

Visitation was held Monday, Feb. 24 from 5-7 pm at Holding Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap. 

The committal service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens.

Family and friends served as pallbearers. 

An online register will be available for the Stidham family at  www.holdingfuneralhome.com 

Holding Funeral Home is honored to serve the Stidham family.