Alice Stamps

Alice Marie Stamps peacefully took her final, earthly breath on Monday evening, Dec. 14, 2020, joining her recently departed husband Alvin Garner Stamps Jr., and gaining her heavenly reward!

Alice Marie Degenhart was born on July 3, 1934 to Sylvia and Hugo Degenhart in Cimarron, Kan. Alice attended school in Copeland and graduated from Copeland High School. She attended Central Christian College and acquired an Associate’s Degree in Art in 1954. In 1956, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education at Harding Christian College. It was in her last year of education, she met Garner Stamps, the handsome soulmate, whom she married on Dec. 22, 1957 and shared life’s greatest joys, earthly sorrows and many wonderful blessings for the rest of her days!

The newlyweds lived in Kansas for a short period of time where Alice taught Home Economics and Business Machines in high school and Garner farmed with Mr. Degenhart.

Canyon, Texas was the location of their second home. For the next four years, Garner and Alice worked for the college Ag farm while Garner finished his degree at West Texas State College in 1962. During this time, in 1959, Alvin Garner Stamps III came into the world, as God made this couple into a family!

After graduation, the young family moved to the farm 15 miles west of Panhandle, where Alice and Garner became a Carson County farm family. A second son, Alan Vint was born in 1962. Alice did her fair share on the farm. Working side by side, but always in the background, with Garner, she kept the farm books, kept the household running, would go for parts, and managed to do laundry and delicious meals, not only for the family, but also for the brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins who were hired to work summers on the farm! Everyone knew Alice was an efficient meal planner and one could know what day of the week it was by the meal served. Wednesday supper was hamburgers. Sunday meals started with pancakes for breakfast, before Church Services, sandwiches for lunch, and cheese, crackers, and milk for supper after church … always!

Alice and Garner had a third son, Anthony Hugo Tony Stamps in 1967 and their daughter, Alicia Kay, completed the family in 1971. Soon after Alicia was born, Alice and Garner were financially able to purchase the homestead from Uncle Dee and Aunt Lillian Cummings. It was on this land, the couple built their dream home and Alice used her sewing and gardening abilities to make the family home warm and inviting. She was an accomplished seamstress, from making the intricately designed matching western shirts for Garner and Alvin, to making the treasured memory quilts for each of her graduating grandchildren. Humbly, she gave sewing advice to anyone who asked. She loved gardening and even toward the end of her life, caregivers would respectfully ask her where would be the best location to place a new gifted plant in her sun room. She always knew.

As “Empty Nesters”, while Garner was considering retirement, Alice took a job in Panhandle. She spent the next 21 years unintentionally endearing herself to the many friends she made while working at the Carson County Library. Alice was independent and determined: her never quit spirit allowed her time to take up painting, enjoy finishing puzzles and romance novels. Few people knew Alice was also an accomplished musician. She played the piano, trumpet and accordion.

Alice and Garner were lifelong members of the Church of Christ. Garner served as a deacon and then elder, and Alice was, again, by his side doing whatever job needed to be done, no matter how great or small, for their beloved church family. She enjoyed teaching the children’s Bible classes, but was always happy to remain behind the scenes, away from the spotlight of recognition.

Alice is preceded in death by her parents, Sylvia and Hugo Degenhart; a sister, Betty Degenhart; brother, Howard Degenhart; mother-in-law, Carrie Adelia Stamps and father-in-law, Alvin Garner Stamps Sr.; as well as her husband, Garner Stamps.

She is survived by her children, sons Alvin, Vint and Tony Stamps; and daughter, Alicia Stamps Pace.

She’s also survived by a daughter-in-law and son-in-law whom she loved dearly; Alvin’s wife, Brenda, and Alicia’s husband, Mike.

“Grammy” is survived by eight grandchildren, Hannah Marie and Aaron Garner Stamps, Alan Vint “AJ”, Conner Tyrel, and Adelia Rachelle Stamps, and Cobi Win, Kyli Michelle and Camden Cleat Pace.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Minton Chatwell Funeral Home in Panhandle on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in the evening from 5:30 to 7:30.

Burial will be in the Panhandle Cemetery on Saturday morning Dec. 19, 2020, at 11 a.m. followed by a dinner for family served in the Church of Christ Family Center.

Please join the family for “A Tribute and Memories Service” to be held in the Church of Christ Family Center beginning at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to High Plains Children’s Home, 11461 South Western Street, Amarillo, TX 79118 or the Carson County Library, PO Box 339, Panhandle, TX 79068.

Services are under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle.