Viola “Granny” Evelene (Tyler) Stamper completed her “Circle of Life,” with her daughters at her side, in Lawton, OK on Jan. 8, 2016. God granted her 94 yrs. 11 mo., 1 wk. and 6 days upon this earth to complete the mission he had for her.
She was born on Jan. 26, 1921 in Lawton, OK to Claude B. and Bertha E. (Splane) Tyler.
She married Artie Elton Stamper on Sept. 20, 1937 in Lawton, OK. They had 2 daughters - Merry and Bonny. Artie died June 2, 1976 in Lawton.
Viola liked to tell the story of the day she married Artie. She picked broom corn to save money to buy a piece of pink satin material from which she sewed her own wedding dress. They were married by H.A. Webster, the owner of the Webster Creamery in Lawton, who was also a Church of Christ minister. Viola told of how Mrs. Webster took her to the back room at the creamery where she kept her powder and lipstick. She never forgot how kind Mrs. Webster was as she helped her apply her make-up Viola later took the pink satin wedding dress and made a baby dress for her first born daughter. Viola loved her family above all else on this earth. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them or anyone to whom she wouldn’t stand up. As one friend put it, “She would go toe-to-toe with anyone when it came to her family.”
She was known by everyone as “Granny.” She chose this name for herself because she remembered a woman from her childhood who was called “Granny.” She said this was the sweetest and kindest person she had ever known and from a very young age she vowed to be called “Granny” as soon as she was old enough and so she was. She was a member of the Church of God and studied her Bible regularly. She was an avid reader and worker of crossword puzzles. She was talented in numerous areas. She crocheted bedspreads, doilies, table cloths, baby clothes and other articles. She had a talent for sewing and ceramics. She loved working in her flower garden. Never did she sit idle. She always stayed busy. She was primarily a homemaker and put her family above all else in life. She was the secretary and book-keeper for the home based landscaping business that she and her husband operated during the early years of their marriage. She and Artie designed and made articles from iron. They welded horseshoes to make pin cushion rockers, ash tray holders, made horses with a rider from iron hammers, plant stands, and made mirrors from horse collars. The things they created are too numerous to list. They traveled to flea markets and exhibits across the country where their pieces were in great demand. She was an Award Winning Artist! Her oil, charcoal and watercolor paintings took first place in art contests. It took her until the age of 55, when she was widowed, to have the courage to try an art class at The Center for Creative Living in Lawton where she excelled. The reason it took courage for her to attend the class was because one of her elementary school teachers had humiliated her in front of the class. The teacher had given an in-class assignment to make a drawing. As the teacher walked around looking at the sketches she commented on some. When she came to Viola’s desk she looked down and said in a loud voice, “Well, you will never be an artist!” Too bad that teacher never got to see how wrong she was or to realize what an impact her words had on a person’s life.
Many people asked to buy her paintings, but she would never sell any of them. She said that she only painted for her family. They hang in places of honor in their homes with a memory attached to each one.
Viola was preceded in death by her husband: Artie E. Stamper; parents Claude B. and Bertha E. Tyler; Son-in-law: Jimmy D. Bennett, Sr. of Lawton; Grandson: Jimmy Dale Bennett, Jr. of Anchorage, AK.; Sisters: Ethel Cupples, Cora Strayer, Thelma Karriker all of Hutchinson, KS. One brother Robert Avery of Hutchinson, KS.
She is survived by her daughters: Merry Bennett-Schaapveld and husband Ken of Elgin; Bonny Hartline of Lawton. Grandchildren: Christine Priddy and husband Terry of Lawton; Bobby D. Hamm, Jr. and Curtis E. Hamm both of Lawton. Great-grandchildren: Sean J. Bennett of Anchorage, AK; Michael D. Couffer of Elgin; Shanna N. Warner and husband Dustin of Blanchard; Colt T. Holley of Stillwater: Chelsea N. Holley of Edmond. Great-great grandchildren: A.J. Warner, Taelor Warner and Jace Warner all of Blanchard. One brother William Avery and wife Delores of Hutchinson, KS. Gary Cox of Lawton (considered as a son). As well as numerous nieces and nephews.
From the bottom or their hearts her family thanks Curtis Hamm for giving her the loving care that allowed to stay in her home until the last 2 years of her life. Her family gives special thanks to Dr. Robert Jones and all of the staff at McMahon Tomlinson Nursing Center who cared for her during the last 2 years.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Her cremains will be buried beside of her husband at Pecan Cemetery during a private family service. Viola was deeply loved by her family. She will be in our hearts always and forever. Arrangements were entrusted to Amy Stittsworth Funeral Service. Memorial and obit can be found at www.stittsworthfuneralservices.com
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