Mary Stanley

Mary JoAnn Stanley, age 67, of DeKalb, Illinois, formerly of Austin, Arkansas, went to heaven February 1, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. JoAnn leaves behind her husband, Sammy (Sam) Stanley of DeKalb, Illinois, her daughter, Tammy (Stanley) Waymire, son-in-law, Dennis Waymire, and two grandsons, Samuel and David Waymire, all of Sycamore, Illinois. She is also survived by her brother, William (Billy) Cartmel, of Kingsport, Tennessee, and her sister, Fanny Lewis, of Jacksonville, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Velma (Martin) Cartmel, and a sister, Kathleen Knight.
JoAnn leaves a legacy of service to those closest to her, having loved and supported her family and friends. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She and Sam were giving parents, and following Sam's stroke, JoAnn cared for him fourteen years before becoming ill. She loved family history and made lifelong friends while doing research. JoAnn believed in doing the right thing and lived by the golden rule. It is this life of service for which she will be remembered.
JoAnn will also be remembered for her zest for life and feisty spirit. Following JoAnn's diagnosis with cancer in May 2009, she vowed to be a cancer survivor, and she embraced a move to Illinois, away from her lifelong home, so that her daughter and her family could participate in her treatment. Over the eight months she lived following her diagnosis, she pursued three different treatments, and she retained her will to live, believing that God gives us the courage to face our giants. She was known for saying, "God may take me tomorrow, but today I fight." She met and inspired others to value life and live it to the fullest.
During JoAnn's last month of life, she never complained or sought pity for the tremendous challenges she faced. She saw blessings in the face of trials and lived with no regrets. JoAnn's passing has left a gaping hole in the hearts of her family and friends, but we remember her spirit and know that she would want us to live the remainder of our lives fully before we join her in heaven.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2010, at Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in Beebe Cemetery.