of Conway, AR

November 27, 1923 - December 17, 2016

Alta Rea (Harrison) ''Apple'' Stamps, 93, died December 17, 2016, after a short illness. She was born on the family cotton farm in White County, Arkansas on November 27, 1923.

Her family lost their mother to tuberculosis when she was 4. By age 5, she was expected to fill a child's sack of cotton. She attended Opal High School but left early to marry the love of her life, Loyal Earl Stamps. Always strong-willed and independent, Alta married in secret so she could play in the state basketball tournament before leaving high school.

During WWII, Alta worked in the Arkansas Ordnance plant in Jacksonville making 50 cal. bullets. She and her husband, Loyal, moved to Dardanelle Arkansas in 1946 to operate an ice cream store. In 1948, they moved to Conway and operated an ice cream store/diner. Later she worked at the Baldwin Piano factory in Conway, while Loyal started a small amusement machine business. Six of their 7 children lived beyond infancy into adulthood and attended college supported on the nickels, dimes, and quarters from jukeboxes and pinball machines.

Alta could sew anything she imagined and made Christmas and Easter dresses for her daughters and granddaughters for years. One year she made six lined sport coats for Christmas for her father, husband, three sons, and son-in-law. Later in life she enjoyed embellishing ordinary sweatshirts into little works of art.

She was fearless and lived life with great gusto. For her 80th birthday she requested and received a hot air balloon ride. Alta ''Go'' Stamps loved travelling, especially cruises. She travelled to 47 of the 48 contiguous states, as well as, Tahiti, Puerto Rico, and Barbados. For several years she traveled to the Gulf Coast to enjoy Mardi Gras and to plead ''throw me some beads, mister!''

Alta loved life, laughing, and hamming it up. She never met a stranger and was an indiscriminate hugger. After a breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Cracker Barrel she would ''work the tables'' chatting with surprised patrons as she meandered toward the exit. Fried chicken, fresh tomatoes, and anything sweet were her favorite foods. She often ate dessert before and after a meal. She was well-known for preparing her specialties of chicken and dressing, baked beans, pies, coleslaw, chocolate gravy, and vegetable soup.

Alta was a voracious reader, and an avid sports fan. She especially loved the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas Rangers. She could not resist a really ''good deal'', and she enjoyed buying, then gifting items from dollar stores. She was very artistic and over the years dabbled in toll painting, ceramics, and flower arranging. She cared for her husband at home for almost 20 years by a clear choice and faithfulness to her vows after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She was a member of Second Baptist Church and a faithful prayer warrior. She loved her Lord and her family, always wanting the best for them. She prayed daily for each of her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Oh, how they will miss her! The hole she leaves is immense. Her work here is done and she rests in glory.

She was preceded in death by her parents, father Hubert Elwin Harrison, mother Sybil Lois Nipper Harrison, and stepmother, Anna Lou (Beasley) Harrison; husband, Loyal; sisters, Ima Lee Erwin, Ala Mae Plummer Martha Ella Pruitt; brother Elwin Clem Harrison; and son infant Carroll. She is survived by her children Anita White, Becky Bagwell (Bill), Missy Stamps, Phil Stamps (Cynthia) all of Conway, Jerry Stamps (Barbara) of Ellicott City MD, Ricky Stamps (Cindy) of Katy TX, brother-in-law Dennis Pruitt of Allen Texas; thirteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2016 and Funeral Service will be 1:00 pm Friday, December 23, 2016 at Roller McNutt Funeral Home Conway, Arkansas with Pastor Stan Young officiating. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park. She requested that attendees wear bright colored clothing.

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