Jerrel Stamps

Jerrel N. Stamps, a long-time resident of Little Rock, Arkansas, peacefully passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at age 86. Born in 1925 in El Paso, Arkansas to the late William Earl and Maude Evelyn Stamps, the baby of the family, preceded in death by his siblings Elbridge and Loyal Stamps, Geneva Fecher and Marlene Taylor. Known to his family and long time friends as Nelson, his business world would know him as Jerrel.

Nelson spent many a day working on the family farm, picking cotton and attending church at Opal Valley. He developed the sense as a young child to know the privilege of attending school was a welcoming relief from farm labor. From this experience came Nelson's strong work ethic which he greatly demonstrated throughout his business career and passion for gardening over the many years of his life. He would operate his tractor and plow the straightest rows, growing the most delicious vegetables to share with his family, friends and co-workers.

After graduating from Beebe High School in 1943, Nelson held various jobs. One particular job was working with his sister and brother-in-law Geneva and Edwin Fecher in Conway, Arkansas at their ice cream store on Front Street. From that experience, Nelson met the love of his life, Moleta Davis, whom he married in 1952, after serving in the United States Army. From that union, four daughters were born.

Nelson was quite the musician, playing the fiddle, harmonica, guitar and sometimes banjo. He loved blue grass, country and gospel music with his favorite playing fiddle tune being "Orange Blossom Special". Early Sunday mornings in the household were Nelson's fiddle serenades, to which sometimes his kids would respond, "Did Dad really have to break out the fiddle so early?" He loved to sing and often would daily walk into his work singing or humming a tune. Before his Army days, Nelson was in a band that would perform about every Friday and Saturday night on a flat bed trailer in downtown Conway. One of his band members would be Fuzzy Owen, manager for country singer Merle Haggard. Over time, the band name and name of the one song that was made into a record could not be remembered.

Jerrel had approximately a sixty year work career in the electrical transformer business, beginning employment at Arkansas Electric Cooperatives in April of 1951 in Jacksonville, Arkansas. The business would later move to North Little Rock on Broadway Street, then eventually to southwest Little Rock. During this time he acquired some college hours and business trips would take him to various places in the United States, Central and South America. Retiring from Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Jerrel would go on to a new business venture as President/General Manager of Multi-States Electric for many years until his health started to decline.

Jerrel had many relationships over the years, business, friend and family and was very well thought of. His dry sense of humor and his passion for people allowed him to never meet a stranger. He was one that could know your life history in five minutes or less and always seemed to have a connection with this person or that one or both. He always seemed to know someone who knew someone else. Over the years, Jerrel was quite the TV repairman, could fix almost anything, had a great passion for horse racing, liked sports and was a successful businessman. He was the most wonderful provider to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was affectionately known as Papa to his grands and greats.

Jerrel was predeceased by his wife of nearly 58 years, Moleta, in 2009. He is survived by his daughters, Cathy Alley of Little Rock, Sissy Stamps of Beebe, Shelly Herndon Leggieri of Beebe and Kelly Brundage of Sarasota, Florida; grandsons Justin (Mindi) Alley of Little Rock, Jeremy Herndon of Little Rock, John Taylor Leggieri of Beebe and Cody Brundage of Sarasota, Florida; great-granddaughters Haven Grace Alley and Addison Rose Alley of Little Rock. In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law Alta Rea Stamps of Conway, Arkansas and a host of nieces and nephews. He will be truly missed in the lives of many.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Delbra Caradine and Margaret of the House Calls Program at UAMS for providing support and comfort to the family and to Arkansas Hospice for their care as well.

Family will receive friends from noon until 1:30 Saturday, November 19, 2011, at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe, with graveside service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Stoney Point Cemetery. Casual attire is acceptable. Memorials may be made to any charity of choice.