Gracelyn Deloris Stamp

A Celebration of Life Gracelyn Delores

Stamp Sunrise July 23, 1943

Sunset February 5, 2018

First Street Peck Wesley United Methodist Church 2309 Dryades Street New Orleans, LA 70113 Pastor Ronald J. Southall, Officiating

Saturday: February 17, 2018 Visitation: 9:00 – 10:00 A.M. Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M.

Her Story Gracelyn Delores Stamp transitioned into eternal peace in the comfort of her home on February 5, 2018 with her family at her side.

Grace was born July 23, 1943 in Roatan Honduras, Central America, to the late Ira Campbell and Verona Davison.

She received her early education from Escuela Juan Brooks in Honduras. She was also a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in New Orleans, LA.

Grace migrated to the United States and made New Orleans her home for 54 years until she left us all.

Grace entered into Holy Matrimony on July 16, 1965, with Carlton R. Stamp. She was a devoted wife of 54 years until her untimely passing. To this union was born one son, Kevin R. Stamp, Sr. She was also the stepmother of Helen Stamp and Richard Bodden.

Grace accepted Christ at an early age, and was baptized at Wesley United Methodist Church in Roatan Honduras. She later became a member of First Street United Methodist Church in New Orleans, LA, under the leadership of the late Rev. Calvin.

Grace devoted her energies to being a domestic house worker for many years. She enjoyed being a housewife, mother and grandmother. Anyone that knew Grace, knew her proudest joy was being a grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking and shopping. Her favorite store was Stein Mart.

Grace loved to bake her famous sugar cookies. Unfortunately, she never got to share her recipe with any of her nieces. We will sure miss those cookies. At every family function or party, Grace was always the first guest to arrive and always on time, but never forgetting to pack a plate for her beloved son Kevin. She enjoyed reading her newspaper and clipping coupons every Sunday. Her favorite past-time was caring for her plants and spending time in her garden, she called her plants, her children.

Grace was loved and will be missed by her husband, Carlton Stamp; son, Kevin Stamp, Sr.; Helen Stamp and Richard Bodden; brothers, Orin, Dan (Jane), Cleveland (Linda), and Arnold; sisters, Glenice, Kadie, Carmen, Jocy, Glenice Rose, Ida, Athie, Brenda and Jocelyn; grandchildren, Courtney, Jordan, Sydney, Kristen, Kevin, Jr., Drew, Valentina, Michael, Anthony, Darryl, Richard and Aniyah, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

Order of Service FIRST STREET PECK WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2309 Dryades Street New Orleans, LA 70113 Rev. Ronald J. Southall, Officiating Saturday, February 17, 2018 10:00 A.M. Processional …………………………………………………………………….... Pastor & Family Greeting …………………………………………………………………... Rev. Ronald J. Southall Congregational Hymn ………………………………………………………………………. Choir Prayer …………………………………………………………………. Minister Jacques Williams Prayer Chant …………………………………………………………………………………. Choir Musical Selection …………………... “How Great Thou Art” ……………………………... Choir Scripture Readings Old Testament …………… Psalms 23 ….…………………… Ms. Lynette Dukes New Testament ………… John 3:11-16 ……………………… Ms. Claudia Boyd

Musical Selection ……………………………………………………………….. Dan Davison, Sr. Reading of Obituary & Acknowledgements …………………………………… Terryll Crosby Solo ………………………………………………………………………………... Clarissa Gibson Eulogy …………………………………………………………………….. Rev. Ronald J. Southall Words of Comfort ……………………… (2 Minutes Please) ……………………. Visiting Ministers

Closing Remarks ………………………………………………………… Rev. Ronald J. Southall Recessional

Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

O U R G R A C E

Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

Family is Everything…

L O V E Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

Precious Memories …

Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

If You Knew My Momma…

If you really knew my mama, you knew how much she loved me. If you ever talked with her and my name came up; somewhere in that conversation, you probably heard, “And yesssss child, He’s all God gave me!!” I lost count of how many other police officers have called me and said, “Maaaan, Kevin I just met your mom, she is so sweet and so funny. She talked to me for a hot minute telling me how proud she was of you, and I really like her accent.” And I’m like… What accent??!!

If you really knew my mama, you knew that she really loved her grandchildren. The only thing she’d talk about more than me, was her grandkids! And if a child captured her heart and was not of her blood, it didn’t matter one bit, because they were immediately adopted into her heart and became her grandchild too.

If you really knew my mama, you knew she loved her family and friends. It didn’t matter how tired she was, or where you were, or if she was afraid to drive across a certain bridge or part of town… If you needed a ride, and you could give her a landmark to help her know where she was going, she was comin’ to get you. Now make no mistake, she wasn’t gonna get to you fast…. But she was comin’. And you weren’t gonna get to your destination quickly either, but you would get there safely.

If you really knew my mama, you probably tasted some of the best sugar cookies ever made. If you ever just happened to pass by the house for a quick second when a fresh batch was made; I’m sure you ended up staying there longer than you planned to, or was fortunate enough to leave with one of her famous Ziplock bags containing a few. And if you were anything like me, I almost never made it home with any left in the bag.

If you really knew my mama, you knew how much she loved her plants! If you’ve ever passed by the house during the evening and the weather was good, 9 times out of 10, you’d see her out there tending to “her other children.” But that was her thing, and that’s what made her happy.

There are no words that can express how much I miss you. And there are no words that can say how much I appreciate all the tough love that helped mold me into the man I am today.

Mama I knew you were suffering, and it pained me so deeply to see it; but in my selfishness I still wasn’t ready for you to go, I needed more time. But I guess heaven must have needed another loving mother, caring grandmother, safe chauffeur, florist and experienced sugar cookie maker more than we did. So he called you home to be at his side When it comes to mothers, “You were all God gave me!!” And I (we) were blessed to have you for as long as we did… I love you Mama…. And I’ll see you later…

Your Son,

Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

Thoughts on My Sister Orin Godfrey, Sr.

Being Grace’s younger brother, I always looked up to my sister. As we got older, on some occasions, I would step up and be the big brother. I taught my sister how to drive and every lesson, she would be afraid or hesitant to cross.

A few years ago my truck broke down and was in need of a pick up from my big sister, in a location that was not her area of expertise, and in her not going to give up attitude she still made the journey across the Mississippi River to find her brother waiting.

Grace you are now crossing a river greater than the Mississippi and I know you will be there waiting on me as always.

I Love You

A Promise from Our God at Job 14:13-15

Life, like a mist, appears for just a day, and then disappears tomorrow. All that we are can quickly fade away, replaced with tears and sorrow. If a man should die, can he live again?

Here the promise.

Friends of our God, though they may pass away, will never be forsaken. All those asleep who in God’s memory stay, from death he will awaken. Then we’ll come to see all that life can be: Paradise eternally.

He will call; the dead will answer. They will life at his command. For he will have a longing for the work of His own hand. So have faith, and do not wonder, for our God can make us stand. And we will live forever, as the work of His own hands.

Sleep on my beautiful sister Gracelyn, Eternal Paradise awaits you. Until we meet again… from, Your Sisters

Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

Precious Memories …

Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

If Tears Could‌ If tears could build a stairway And memories were a lane, We would walk right up to heaven To bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken, No time to say good-bye, You were gone before we knew it, And only God knows why.

Our hearts still ache in sadness, And secret tears still flow, What it meant to lose you, No one will ever know.

Randy & Deborah Jones

My Rest Begins My days of toil and labor are over. My time of rest has come. I am now resting in the arms of my Savior. I have run the race, I have fought the good fight. My treasures have been stored, my flight has arrived. I am bound to my home in that land far away where my Savior awaits and bids me to come. Where suffering and pain shall be no more and I will rest in my new home far, far away where I will never grow old.

Written by:

Ellarose McLaughlin Gray Ellarose McLaughlin Gray Gracelyn Delores Stamp July 23,

1943 – February 5,

2018

Active Pallbearers

I’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call; I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much; Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all too brief; Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.

Steve Campbell Orin Godfrey, Jr. John Watson

Dan Davison, Jr. Ray Watson Sonny Welcome

Honorary Pallbearers Orin Godfrey, Sr. Dan Davison, Sr. Cleveland Davison Arnold Godfrey Gerald Everett

With Gratitude & Love The Stamp family acknowledges with great appreciation the many expressions of love, concern, acts of kindness and support shown during the extended illness and passing of our beloved Grace.

May God Bless and Keep you.

ARRANGEMENTS Majestic Mortuary Services, Inc. 1833 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70113

INTERMENT Resthaven Memorial Park 10400 Old Gentilly Road New Orleans, LA 70127 Program Design: Our Celebrations of Life (504) 453-2186 ourcelebrationsoflife@gmail.com