The Celebration of the Life of Virginia Stanley, a long-time Poteau resident, will be held at 1pm, Saturday, February 17th at First United Methodist Church, 109 Harper Avenue, Poteau, Oklahoma. The family will greet friends from 5:00 - 7:00pm on Friday, February 16th at Grace Manor Funeral Home, in Poteau. Virginia passed away Friday, January 12, 2018, at age 82 at her home in Oklahoma City.
Virginia Ann (Massengale) Stanley was born December 8, 1935, in Hobbs, NM, to Lawrence and Alma (Carter) Massengale. Virginia received her bachelors degree in elementary education from Oklahoma City University in 1958 and her masters in guidance and counseling from West Virginia University in 1959. She was united in marriage to Jack Edward Stanley on August 29, 1959 in Hugo, Oklahoma and they settled in Weirton, WV, where Virginia was hired as the first guidance counselor for Hancock County schools. Virginia and Jack moved to Poteau in June of 1960 where she began serving the community in many ways. She started Project Compassion, served as President of the E.S.A. chapter, delivered Meals on Wheels (with Jack driving,) was a member of P.E.O., Poteau Womens League, was on the board of Friends of the Library, and was on the committee in the early 1960s which worked to incorporate Special Education into the Poteau Public Schools. Virginia was named a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International and, in 1984, the Poteau Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year. Virginia was the first child welfare worker assigned to LeFlore county in 1961 and worked in Adoptions and Licensing. In 1996, as licensing supervisor, she retired after 35 years of service to the children of Oklahoma.
Shortly after moving to Poteau, Virginia and Jack joined the First United Methodist Church. Virginia had been very active in the Methodist church while growing up in Hugo and throughout college at OCU. She loved her church and volunteered tirelessly in every aspect of its ministries. She taught Sunday school, was Chair of the Council on Ministries, representative to Annual Conference, worked with both the children and youth, and served on the board of the Frances E. Willard Home for Girls for eight years. Virginia had a special interest in outreach to church members who were no longer able to attend and worked to organize the Membership Care Committee. She was most honored to have been a member or chairperson of the building committee for all three buildings currently on the Poteau United Methodist Church campus.
Virginia was a shining light with an exceptional faith and known by all as selfless, patient and compassionate. She always had a listening ear and a warm smile and she loved the Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma State Cowboys and West Virginia Mountaineer sports.
None of Virginias endeavors were more important to her than those of devoted daughter, wife, mother and Gigi. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Jack. Survivors include two daughters Deborah Stanley of Cumming, Georgia, and Denise Stanley Sullivan and husband Scott of Oklahoma City; three grandchildren, Harper Lee Jarrett and Carter Stanley Jarrett of Cumming, Georgia, and Delaney Claire Sullivan of Oklahoma City, along with cherished family and friends.
The family would appreciate, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be given to First United Methodist Church of Poteau Building Fund. Services are under the direction of Grace Manor Funeral Home, Poteau, OK. You may leave an online greeting for the family at www.gracemanorfh.com.
SERVICES


Family Gathering

Friday, February 16, 2018
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Grace Manor Funeral Home
28918 205th AVE
POTEAU, Oklahoma 74953

Memorial Service

Saturday, February 17, 2018
1:00 PM

First United Metodist Church
109 South Harper
Poteau, ok 74953