Sandra Lou Stump, age 72, of Mount Gilead, was carried into Heaven by her Lord and Savior on Sunday afternoon, November 6, 2011, at Laurels of Mount Vernon surrounded by her loving family following an extended illness.
On March 13, 1939, Sandra was born in Morrow County, Ohio, the daughter of the late James and Naomi (Wheeler) Wiseman.
When she was only 3 years old, her parents and their family separated, and Sandra was then adopted and welcomed into the family of Grace (Zeger) and Harry Hildebrand. She was raised in the Johnsville area, and graduated from Johnsville High School in the Class of 1957.
Shortly after graduation, Sandra married the love of her life, James R. Stump, on July 11, 1958, at the North Woodbury Lutheran Church. Together they shared over 54 wonderful years of marriage and lovingly raised four children.
In addition to being a caring homemaker, Sandra worked as a nurse’s aid at the Morrow Manor Nursing Home in Chesterville for over 18 years. The first person she cared for there, was her foster mother, Grace.
A woman of deep faith, Sandra was a devoted and active member of the At His Feet Christian Center in Mount Gilead, where she “truly loved her church family and friends”. She also felt blessed to teach Sunday School to the youngest of the youth at the church, all of whom she cherished.
With a love for music, Sandra enjoyed singing and playing the piano at home with her children, when she could get them to cooperate.
Known for her “charisma”, Sandra loved to joke around and tease her family and friends.
Having a competitive streak in her, Sandra loved playing Uno as a family. Also, when she was younger she enjoyed playing euchre with Raymond and Gladis Holtrey and bowling.
Most important of all to Sandra, was her family. She was always there for her children and grandchildren, and enjoyed every moment of their sporting events and school activities. Whenever they needed someone to talk to, they knew they could turn to Sandra who was a “great listener”. Nevertheless, you could also count on her sharing her opinions and an appropriate bible verse with you.
She will be dearly missed by her husband, Jim Stump of Mount Gilead; four children: Jimmy Stump of North Carolina, Michael (April) Stump, William (Gretchen) Stump, both of Mount Vernon, and Trina (Thomas) Wiseley of South Carolina; 15 grandchildren: James Michael, Kurt and Amber Stump, Donnie Fuller, Timmy Hensley, Brant Horn, Hannah, Nate, Leevi and William Kyle Stump, Nick and Ashley Schofield, and Brooklyn, Colten and Dawson Wiseley; a great-grandson and great-granddaughter; two sisters: Jacqueline Bird of Fredericktown, Cora Winter of N. Judson, Indiana; an adopted sister, Margaret Lewis of Mansfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including her parents and adopted parents, Sandra was preceded in death by her brothers: Kenneth, Marshall and Jimmy Wiseman; sisters: Grace Pollock, Ruth Staley, Estella Mullins, and Charleen Sinclair; three adopted brothers: Trent, Harold and Dale Hildebrand; and an adopted sister, Irene Tischer.
The Stump family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring her life will also be held there on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Art Wooddell officiating. Burial will follow in Shauck Cemetery in Johnsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the At His Feet Christian Center, 257 Lee St., Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338. Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to have been chosen to serve Sandra’s family, and condolences may be expressed to them online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
One night I had a dream–
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,
you should leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
…Mary Stevenson
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