Howard William Stanley, Sr.

REIDSVILLE:  Howard William Stanley was born July 15, 1936 in Telfair County, Georgia, son of the late Rob and Mildred Williams Stanley.

On July 12, 1956 he married Lynease Bowen and was a devoted husband for 55 years.  They have two sons, William Stanley (married to Jane) and Lee Stanley.  Howard was the loving grandfather of Erika Stanley and Amber Wilkinson (married to B.J.); and the proud great-grandfather of Levi B. Wilkinson.

Howard is survived by his brother, Robert (Bobby) Stanley of Eastman, GA (married to Ruth)  and two sisters, Frances Stevenson of Milan, Ga (married to Mitch) and Mattie White of Milan, Ga (married to Wendell).

Howard also leaves behind a large and loving group of friends, colleagues and neighbors.  He was a faithful member of Reidsville Baptist Church and was a respected member of the Altamaha Community of Tattnall County.

After a brief stint selling insurance, a job that did not suit him, Howard Stanley found the work that he dearly loved.  He was an extraordinary plantsman and built three nurseries over his 32-year career in the business.  He began work for the Georgia Forestry Commission in 1957 at Horseshoe Bend Seed Orchard in Glenwood.  After a few months he moved his young family to Morgan Nursery in Byron, and in 1966 transferred to Page and Walker Nurseries in Toombs and Tattnall counties.  Howard retired in 1989.

Over the years he grew billions of sapling trees that were used to repopulate the forests of Georgia and supply natural resources for this county.  He grew many of the ornamentals used by the state in its landscaping.  A dogwood and a maple tree grown by Howard’s hands were planted at the White House.

Howard liked to grow things.  He loved gardens and forests. His yard was always immaculate.  He bred exceptional varieties of daylilies and hydrangeas.  One of the highlights of his plant career was patenting a dogwood variety that he had produced, a variety that featured a slight blush of pink around the white flower.  He named this variety for his two grandchildren, calling it Am-Erika.  It grows at Gordonia Alatamaha State Park and around the Stanley home.

Besides his work with plants, Howard enjoyed working with wood and looking for historical treasures.  He had a vast collection of antique bottles.  He enjoyed any time spent in the woods and with his friends. His home was comfortable and beautiful and a welcome place for all.  He and Lynease often hosted large holiday celebrations.

He was a charming, patient and generous man who loved his family, his friends, and his neighbors.  In his later years he was dedicated to caring for his dear longtime friend and neighbor, Leta Mac Stripling who preceded Howard in death.  Whatever Howard set out to do, he did well.  He was a person of sincere integrity and high morals.  He believed in treating people fairly and kindly.

Howard Stanley died peacefully of heart complications at his home on Old River Road in Tattnall County in the early morning of July 3, 2012.  His passing leaves a huge hole in the lives of many and he will be deeply missed.  We are grateful for the 75 years of Howard’s life and for his love, wisdom and countless kindnesses.

Visitation will begin at 10:00am Thursday July 5, 2012 from the Reidsville Baptist Church with the services to follow at 11:00am with the Reverends Steve Miller and Chuck Jonas officiating.  Graveside services will follow at 3:00pm from Rockwell Baptist Church Cemetery in Telfair County.  Pallbearers will be Merril Anderson, Charles Anderson, John Sanders, Anthony Boyett, Derric Montford, John Howard, Trevor Tatum and Raven Waters.

Memorials may be given to Pearson Chapel United Methodist Church c/o Ann Carswell, 5830 Old River Road Reidsville, GA 30453

Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home, Reidsville Chapel is serving the Stanley family.