Longtime Miami-Globe area resident Violet Stamps passed away May 15 in Peoria, Arizona. She was just seven weeks shy of her 99th birthday. She was born July 7, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan to Morris and Pauline Lookman. After high school she worked as a typist for the U.S. Treasury Dept. She enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp during World War II and served stateside as a photographer.
She was a strong and strong-willed woman. In 1947 she hitched a ride with a couple to Bisbee, Arizona to see a famous nose doctor for her loss of sense of smell. While living in a boarding house to recuperate from the successful surgery, she met Aubrey Stamps. After one week they decided to marry, and they were married for 56 years until Aubrey died in 2004.
For many years her favorite pastime was playing cards (Canasta) and “Marbles” (Aggravation) with friends. She enjoyed visitors, and the friendly joke of the visitor became, could they reach a chair before the coffee and snack arrived to them. No meal or event was ever complete without coffee especially with cream and lots of sugar. Snacks preferably always contained chocolate.
In later years she enjoyed listening to Diamondback baseball games on television and listening to music on her transistor radio which was never far from her hand. Her musical interest ranged from Lawrence Welk to Rock and Roll. Her favorite musician was Prince and her favorite song Purple Rain.
For her 95th birthday she went on a helicopter ride and she planned to jump from a plane on the back of a parachutist for her 100th.
She is survived by her daughter Karren and son-in-law Phil Moreland. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Al, sisters Edith, Freda and Rose.
The family wishes to thank Mary Powers, Ricki Williams Huggins, Katie and Billy Kephart, Charlie (now deceased) and Virginia Foster for many hours of loving care, time and assistance to keep her independent for as long as possible. Many thanks also go to Ana Westwood and the staff at Touch of Excellence Group home in Peoria, Arizona for wonderful care.
Contributions may be given in her name to the Woman in Military Service Memorial, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 400, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
Violet requested no funeral service. A luncheon to celebrate her life and what would have been her 99th birthday July 7, 2018 will be held at Central Heights Baptist Church where she was a member.
