ANITA GRACE (STROUTH) STANLEY

Anita Grace (Strouth) Stanley (83) went to sleep peacefully surrounded by the love of her family at her daughter Valerie’s home on March 25, 2026, and woke up joyfully in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She is healed and whole again. Her suffering on Earth has come to an end. She has heard the words that we all long to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Grace was born on May 25, 1942, to Robert “Bob” Strouth and Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Gentry Strouth of Pound, VA, who preceded her in death. She grew up in a loving home surrounded by 12 other siblings. Times were hard but she always said she never knew it. There was a lot of love around their dinner table. Her mom and dad taught their children to work hard, love each other, and to take care of their neighbors. Even in her final days, she talked about spending time with her mom cooking and gardening and tagging along with her dad as he worked. She would often stay with him while her mom would go to town shopping and she learned so much from him about the constellations, mountains in which she lived, and serving the neighbors who were less fortunate.

Eleven of her siblings preceded her in death including Avie Hazel Summers, Otis Strouth Sr., James Lowell Strouth, Lear Lucille Davis, Rena Mae “Susie” Bell, Anna Ruth Strouth Stanley, Cecil Marion Strouth, Thurman Dee Strouth, Thurston Lee Strouth, Bobby Gene Strouth and Clyde Strouth. Also, preceding her in death were her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Nolan and Cora Stanley, whom she loved as parents, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jerry, Jeff, Edd, Joan, Sherry and Shelby Jean Ashmore.

She married the love of her life, Kermit Scott Stanley, in August of 1960 and they spent the next 49 years building a life together (until his death in 2011) that was both challenging and rewarding. They enjoyed being among friends who used Citizen Band Radios (aka CBs) to communicate, her handle was ‘Sweet Blonde’ and his was ‘Happy Pappy.’ They raised two daughters, Lesa and Valerie. 

She is survived by her youngest daughter Valerie Lawson, and her husband, Steve, who was Grace’s favorite son-in-law, his daughter Stephanie (Justin) and their grand-daughter Caroline, whom Mamaw Grace adored; the oldest daughter Lesa Vanessa Stanley, and her family including son Scottie Robinson (Misti) and their children Ryleigh and daughter Landrie, Makenzie and children Grayson and Aspen, and Jacob and children Everette, Laini, and Liam; daughter Amanda Leigh Phillips (Kevin) and children Dylan (MaKayla) and children Jaden and Jaxon; Shawn, Gracie and Kiera Rae; and son Brandon Stanley. Mamaw loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally; beloved great-granddaughters, who were more like daughters, Madison Paige Robinson (Taylor) and children Dexter and Lumen; Makayla Jade Robinson (Willie) and children Woodley and Haislee.

She is also survived by her brother, Jerry (June), sisters-in-law Carol, Virgie, Jewell with whom she had a long-lasting and loving friendship, Mavis, Sandy (Leonard), Jan, and Jo Ann (Nathan), and her brothers-in-law Nolan (Glenetta), Earl (Bess), and Ken; and her beloved special nieces and nephews. And her lifelong best friends Sue Holmes Blackwell and Selma Jean Salyers Steele.

Grace will be remembered for her faithfulness to God and the many churches she and her brother Gene attended throughout the years. Mom spent many years attending Ferbie’s Chapel and Davis Chapel, and in her last few years worshiped at Gladeville Presbyterian Church in Wise where she felt at home. Special thanks to her church family for loving on her, feeding her and praying for her.

She made many lasting friendships through her work at Buster Brown and her work at the Wise County Cannery, which was a great point of pride for her. She loved to garden and had the most beautiful flowers. She and her daughter, Lesa, shared the gift of gardening both in produce and flowers.

Once the grandchildren came along, Mamaw was her favorite title and she liked nothing more than to be in a house full of chaos and children running and playing. She loved to cook, clean and care for all of them.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 4 p.m. at Gladeville Presbyterian Church in Wise with Rev. Jim Collie officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, please instead plant some flowers that will remind you that with a little cultivation, you can grow something that will bring you great joy in life.