Mary Rosemond Stover

Mary Rosemond "Rophie" Cearley Stover, 83, of Pine Bluff, went to her Heavenly home to meet her Savior Sunday, July 13, 2014. She was born September 25, 1930 to Monroe and Willie Reynolds Cearley in Sheridan. Mary Rosemond was reared and received her early education in Grapevine, graduating from Grapevine High School in 1948. She played basketball and was in high school plays. One of her earliest jobs was working at McComb's Boarding House in Pine Bluff. She worked for Davis Hospital in Pine Bluff for a few years in the kitchen preparing meal trays for the patients. In the early 1970's, she worked at sewing factories in Rison and Pine Bluff. She married the love of her life, Lavon "Buddy" Stover November 12, 1949. They were married 53 years and nine months before he passed away. She was a homemaker, where her favorite things were cooking, sewing, gardening (vegetable and flowers), camping and going to bluegrass festivals around the state with her husband. Mrs. Stover never met a stranger and always had a smile on her face. A longtime member of the "Traditionals" country music band, she sang with her husband until he died. Then she continued on as a soloist, affectionately known as the "Butter Bean Lady", a name given to her because her most requested song was "Just a Bowl of Butter Beans" sang to the tune of "Just a Closer Walk with Thee". She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. A member of Whiteville Missionary Baptist Church since the early 1960's, she taught Sunday School and worked in Vacation Bible School. Mrs. Stover was preceded in death by her husband, Lavon "Buddy" Stover; her parents; and sister, Paulette Freeman, whom she raised after their mother died in 1952. Survivors include three daughters, Kay Reed (David) of Pine Bluff, Sharon Garner (Greg) of Pine Bluff and Melinda Carroway (Darrell) of Conway; two sisters, Betty Nell Taylor (Murphy) of Fayetteville and Vestal Ann "Chan" Hatcher (Billy) of Little Rock; brother, Henry "Bud" Cearley (Sandra) of Sheridan; four grandchildren, Blake Reed (Allison) of Conway, Melissa Cavazos (Chris) of Conway, Adam Garner (Sarah) of Jonesboro and Alex Garner of Pine Bluff; and four great-grandchildren, Grant Reed, Ellie Reed and Evan Cavazos, all of Conway and Ruby Rosemond Cavazos, due in October of 2014. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Watson Chapel Baptist Church with Reverend Todd Howard and Reverend Duane Cooper officiating. Burial will follow in Ramick Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Watson Chapel Baptist Church. The family would like to offer special thanks to Mrs. Stover's caregiver, Judy Hubanks, for her tireless and compassionate care. Memorials may be made to Whiteville Missionary Baptist Church, 8515 Whiteville Road, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603 or Ramick Cemetery Association, c/o Patsy Stone, 312 Regal Oaks Circle, White Hall, Arkansas 71602. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.