Juanita Stemple

“A joyful heart is good medicine.”  Proverbs 17:22 ESV

Juanita Wampler Stemple (known as Nita) died peacefully the morning of Sunday, December 29, 2019.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at Briarwood Presbyterian Church.

Nita was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack Lee Stemple, in 1995.  She is survived by those she loved and who loved her dearly; her children, Gregory Lee Stemple of Summerville (SC) and Karen Stemple Hux of Birmingham, her grandchildren Cassandra Stemple Garris of Charleston (SC), Lucas Matthew Stemple of Columbia (SC), Michael Nathan Hux of Birmingham, and Aaron Elliot Hux of Birmingham, and six great-grandchildren.

Nita was born to Winfield Silas and Carrie Waldrop Wampler in Bicknell, Indiana, on August 8, 1925, spending her growing up years in the small town of Connersville.  Upon completing her education, she accepted a war service appointment with the Army Air Forces Central Procurement during World War II.  When the war ended, she and her best friend moved to Miami, Florida, where new jobs were waiting.

It was in Miami that Nita met Jack Stemple, an Army Air Force war veteran who was enrolled at the University of Miami.  They married, and upon Jack’s graduation from Miami, they began their grand adventure together when he accepted a position in New York.  His career moved them to several cities over the years, including Dayton (OH), Detroit, Baltimore, Oklahoma City, Nashville, Columbus (OH), and finally to Spartanburg (SC).  Her last move was to Birmingham in 2011, when she moved into her daughter Karen’s home.

Nita was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and was a joyful person who lifted the spirits of everyone who knew her.  She was devoted to her husband and family and loved them well.  She led an active and productive life and knew how to laugh and have fun, too.  She was very musical, having played piano all of her life, and other instruments including the organ, oboe, even a large stand-up bass, handbells, and sang in church choirs throughout her life.  She served her churches, her children’s schools, and in the community.  She was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles, dogs, and chocolate, was an excellent bridge and duplicate player, enjoyed studying the Bible, baked the best homemade bread and cookies, and blessed many family members and friends with her needlework talents in cross-stitch, needlepoint, latch hook, knitting, and sewing.

Juanita Wampler Stemple left the world a better place and she will be deeply missed.

If you wish to make a charitable donation in lieu of flowers, please give to Nita’s favorite local ministry in her memory:

Daniel Cason Ministries

K.I.D.S. Inc.

P. O. Box 39090

Birmingham, AL 35208

*Special thanks from the family to the wonderful personnel of Family Private Care, Ahava Healthcare of Alabaster, and Oasis Hospice.