OBITUARIES
tirement to work at Lookout Mountain Community Services and while there managed the agency’s Intensive Training Residence. After retirement she also did health assessments for the Waver Program across the state of Georgia.
Marge was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution holding many She was a charter member and treasurer of the Colonial Dames XVII. She had also been a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy and the Valley Forge Society. She loved genealogy and was helpful to many who were interested in tracing their family trees. She was active in the Marsh House and worked many hours volunteering to preserve this historic LaFayette landmark.
She was married to her husband William J (Bill) for 62 years, and have 3 children, Amy (Harvey) Williams, Laura (Edward) Claybo, and honorary daughter Pam (Ray) Tucker. Grandchildren Robb (Caitlin) Smedema, William “Hank” Smedema, Elizabeth Smedema, Jennifer (James) Dixson, Jon (Jennifer) Claybo, Jesse and Meghan Claybo, Ray (Sabrina) Tucker, David (Heather), Tucker Craig (Kikki) Tucker, great grandchildren, Tripp and Sarah Frances Smedema and Max Claybo. One sister, Linda Noble (Wayne) Harbin of Holly Pond, Alabama. Special friends Patsy and Hank Haskell.
Marge also had several extended children that grew up with her daughters affectionately referred to as ‘the gang’. It was not unusual for her house to be full of teenagers on every weekend. She maintained contact with this extended family as they continued their journey through college and into adulthood creating their own families.
She will be buried in the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee with a Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date. Donations in her name can be made to the DAR/UDC special projects funds or to LaFayette United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are by the Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Lera Mae Trussell Stanley, age 91, passed away peacefully in hospice on March 24th, 2020. She was born May 20, 1928 in Albertville, AL, but lived the majority of her life in LaFayette, Ga. A private graveside service was held for immediate family at LaFayette Memory Gardens.
She was preceded in death by her parents L.B. and Noma Trussell; husband, Henry Clyde Stanley; daughter Patricia Stanley Ray; and sister, Jimmie Lockman.
She is survived by her grandsons Bucky and Victor Ray; several nieces, nephews, their children and others who loved and cared for her as their own.
Lera Mae was a beloved member of her community and faithful member of Ridgeview Baptist Church.
She worked at E.T. Barwick for many years and in her later years worked at a local church daycare. She loved children and taking care of babies.
She was a devoted loving wife, mother, and grand - and cooking. If she knew you were coming she would get to work on preparing a meal. What she loved most was her Lord and Savior. Every morning she spent time in her bible studying and memorizing scripture. She embodied Christ and loved as He loved. She was ready to be called home to see Jesus and be reunited with her family that had gone before her. She touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed.
During this world crisis let us all take time to be like this amazing woman. If she were here, she would remind us of one of her favorite bible verses: Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.