Georgia Ivanell Mings

Georgia Ivanell Mings, 88, passed away peacefully at home in Perry on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was the last survivor of her Stickles siblings. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Perry.
A funeral service to celebrate Georgia’s life will be 2PM Monday, February 12, 2018 at the First Christian Church in Perry with Rev. Josh Bell officiating. Interment will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry. Pall bearers will be Jay Brown, Leah Brown, Amanda Burk, Angela Owens, Tyler Stafford, and Jack Howell. Visitation will be 9AM to 8PM Saturday, February 10, 2018 and 1PM to 6PM Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Perry. Family will greet guests from 4PM to 6PM Sunday at the funeral home.
Georgia was born March 17, 1929 in Dexter, MO, to James & Ida (Crow) Stickles. The youngest of thirteen children. As a little girl she grew up on the family farm in Dexter. As with most large families, you could find her sharing chores with her siblings to help the family out doing her part to make ends meet. She would travel with her family from Arkansas to Michigan to harvest seasonal produce.
She soon met and married Hugh Edward Stafford on December 22, 1945 in Arkansas. To this union seven children were born. Georgia devoted her time raising her children and taking care of her family earning the title of “Homemaker”. After Hugh passed away in 1976, Georgia met and married Leonard Mings in 1990. He preceded her in death in 2004.
In 2004 Georgia moved to Oklahoma to live with her daughter Fran. This was a transitional time for Georgia to meet and make new longtime friends. She volunteered at Wheat Heart Nutritional Center in Perry where she won several Valentine Queen contests. She also enjoyed decorating the seasonal Christmas tree and scrapbook keeper. Georgia always got a kick out of dressing up for Halloween and wearing different hats for various holiday occasions. She never met a stranger, and always made everyone feel welcome. Many would enjoy conversation over a cup of coffee and a slice or two of Georgia’s famous Banana Bread. She also looked forward to traveling to visit family across the country and sharing stories with her great-grandchildren.
Georgia was a member of the First Christian Church here in Perry, and a member of Christian Women’s Fellowship.
Survivors include her children, Christine Ivanell Stafford Hayes and husband Jackie of Bernie, MO, Charles Edward Stafford of Willow Springs, MO, Frances Ivanell Stafford Howell Blocker and husband David of Perry, OK, Bernard Wayne Stafford of Murrey, KY, and Frankie Allen Stafford and wife Jenny of Odessa, TX; nineteen grandchildren, Michelle Hayes Carter and husband Terry, Samuel Hayes, Sandra Pilcher, Glenda Lamborn and husband Leslie, Glenn Stafford, Jr., Carrie Stafford, Angela Owens and husband Kurt, Crystal Stafford, Nancy Hann and husband Eric, Jack Howell, Jr. and wife Christina, Selena Howell Brown and husband David, Monica Stevens and husband Justin, Tyler Stafford and wife Maegan, Ashley Hayes and husband Jason, Amanda Burk and husband Brian, Kimberly Bemis and husband Paul, Jeremy Stafford and wife Whitney, Travis Stafford, Jessica Foster, and Stacy Stafford; 48 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; two sons, Von Dale Stafford, and Glen Edward Stafford.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com