Vivian Leigh Stanley's Obituary
Vivian Leigh Stanley was born on March 6, 1932, in Marlin, Texas -Falls County. She was the third of three children born to Perkin John Baldwin and Mabel Scruggs Baldwin. At an early age Vivian moved with her family to Dallas, Texas. She attended J. W. Ray and B. F. Darrell Elementary Schools and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She married William Lee Stanley, and from this union three children were born, Delbert Glennell, Ravina Joyce, and Nyla Radell. The young family lived in Roseland Homes in North Dallas and worshiped at the Bethel A.M.E. Church. In October 1959, Vivian and her family moved to the newly established black community of Hamilton Park. There, the family joined the Hamilton Park United Methodist Church under the leadership of the Reverend Zan Holmes, now under the
leadership of the Reverend Bryant X. Phelps.
Vivian worked at Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas. Desiring to gain technical business skills she attended secretarial school in the mid-1960s, and upon completing her courses she became the secretary for Reverend Holmes. She was later employed by the Dallas District Attorney Henry Wade’s office, where she was the first black to serve in the DA’s office. Wade is better known for the historical Roe vs. Wade court case. She retired from the DA’s office after more than thirty years.
Vivian was a kind, gentle, strong, and faithful believer and server of our Lord Jesus Christ. She stayed active and devoted her life to various church functions throughout her life’s journey of ninety-three years. She worked with the Food Pantry servicing hundreds of families and was a member of The Mature Adults. During a long, trying, painful, and courageous health battle her faith in God remained true and steadfast as her trust in the Lord endured.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-three years, William Lee Stanley; parents; brother- Joe Willard Baldwin, sister- Mittie Boson; nieces- Willardette Baldwin, Laressa Boson, nephew-Roscoe Baldwin.
She is survived by her three children: Delbert Stanley, Ravina McKellar (Willie), and Nyla Stanley; grandchildren-Dewayne Cole McKellar (Erin), Teri Denmon (Christian); great grandchildren-Brayden McKellar, Lily McKellar, Navi Denmon, Sailor Denmon, Christian Denmon Jr.; nieces-Sandra Harden, Pamela Erwin (Larry); great nephew- Larry Erwin II (Orissa); great nieces-Stephanie Erwin, Brandi Harden, great-great niece- Asha Erwin, and great-great nephew Malcolm Erwin, and a host of other relatives and friends
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