Obituary for Etta Mae Stuard

Etta Mae Stuard

May 7, 1932 – April 27, 2018

Etta Mae Sanders Stuard went to meet her heavenly father on Friday, April 27, 2018. After 85 years, Heaven welcomed one of the most kind, loving, and sweetest ladies. A memorial ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eastern Heights Christian Church with Pastor Mark Berry officiating.

Etta Mae was born in Tekamah, Nebraska on May 7, 1932 to the late Truman and Esteve Sanders. The Sanders family moved to Kaw City in 1946 and later to Ponca City. Etta Mae graduated in the Class of 1950 from Ponca City High School. She met her husband Donald Stuard while living in Kaw City. They were married on June 25, 1950 at Liberty Baptist Church. They spent 62 years of married life in Ponca City.

She worked for Mid Creamery for 15 years and later retired from Mertz Incorporated after 25 years of employment. Family and friends were a big part of Etta Mae’s life. A favorite location for family fun was a lake home at Table Rock Lake in Missouri. Etta Mae took pride in preparing her home for guests and was known to have her house spotless at all times. Etta believed that a clean house made for a comfortable guest. Etta Mae is a past officer of the Ponca City Square Dance Club Association. Dancing with her husband Don during square dance nights was considered the best part of her life.

She was a member of the Eastern Heights Christian Church where she demonstrated her service for the Lord. She enjoyed attending Bible Study with her friends and learning about kindness and grace. To her family she was a caring and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother. She was a strong woman that insured others needs were being met. She was most definitely the matriarch of the family and her loss is a large one. She instilled a strong legacy in those left behind and her memory will be survived by numerous moments of joy and laughter.

Etta Mae is preceded in death by her husband Donald E. Stuard, her parents Truman and Esteve Sanders, sister Betty Lou Fultz, and brother in law Frank Botkin. Etta Mae is survived by a sister Juanita Botkin of Wichita, Kansas and brother Douglas Sanders and wife Charlotte Sanders of Huntsville, Texas.

She has two daughters, Carolyn Stuard of Ponca City and Dianna Bjornsson of Broken Arrow. She has two grandchildren, Michelle Campbell of Broken Arrow and Dr. Travis Campbell and wife Mindie Campbell of Broken Arrow. Surviving legacy includes four great grandchildren, Tyler Smith and wife Corrina Smith, Claire Campbell, Graham Campbell and Bennett Campbell as well as one great great grandson, Mason Smith.

Etta Mae, your family is forever enriched by your life and we are so thankful to have our memories of you live in our hearts.

Though we mourn your loss now, we are quickly rejuvenated by remembering your exuberance for life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Eastern Heights Christian Church at 5100 Lake Road Ponca City, OK 74604.

Source: Trout Funeral Home