Ollie Mae Cannon

Mrs. Ollie Mae Stafford Cannon was born December 6, 1927, in Rusk County, Texas, to parents William Wesley Stafford and Mary Ann Fears Stafford. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on October 21, 2015, in Nacogdoches, Texas.

She was married to A.B. Cannon Jr. on May 21, 1953, and he preceded her in death in 1989. Mrs. Cannon was also preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Brice Stafford and Cub Stafford.

Her survivors include sister, Thelma Gene Sorrells and husband Joe of Henderson; brother, Jerry Stafford and wife Sue of Longview; children, Patsy Nolen of Houston, Billy Cannon and wife Mary Jane of Mt. Pleasant, Nellie Kerbow and husband David of Houston, Belinda Wade and husband Bob of Cushing, and Mary Jane Heeney and husband Mike of Cypress; 11 grandchildren, including Stephanie Cannon Horn, Chuck Cannon, Leslie Wade Ball, Sara Wade Cole, Hayley Heeney, Jill Heeney, and Will Heeney; ten great grandchildren, including Blake Cannon Knight, Carter Ball, Callie Ball, and Jacie Cole; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Raised during the Great Depression on the family farm, she was always accustomed to hard work but she also developed an appreciation of simple pleasures brought by the bonds of family and friends. She was a homemaker devoted to her parents, husband and children.

She developed a love for music when her brother Brice taught her to play guitar so she could accompany him on his fiddle. She passed this love of music to her children as all remember music and singing being part of their household. During her lifetime she could regale you with stories of her encounters with famous entertainers such as Jim Reeves and Hank Williams, Sr. and Aaron Tippin to name a few, but later in life, she also enjoyed supporting aspiring musicians like Scott Hoyt. A self-taught seamstress, she not only fashioned clothes for all her children, she also designed beautiful garments to earn extra income for her family. She taught us to appreciate quality fabrics and workmanship.

In 1965, she worked briefly in the post office at Stephen F. Austin and later at Mrs. Chance’s nursery. She didn’t work outside the home again until the mid-eighties when she started at Mr. Q’s service station on North Street. She made many friends through her years of employment there. As a widow, she had to learn to drive and then there was no stopping her. In addition to working at Mr. Q’s, she filled her days with art classes, guitar lessons and community service. She volunteered with the Sheriff’s Posse, the Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. She served as an officer with the Breakfast Lady Lions and was a Past Chief of the Pythian Sisters Grand Temple of Texas.

Her greatest enjoyment was sharing her faith and God’s love with others. A lifelong Baptist, she raised her family in Memorial Baptist Church where she served by teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. After her retirement, she moved to Cushing and became a member of Landmark Baptist Church.

After suffering a stroke in 2004, she made Willowbrook Nursing Facility her home where she lived until her death. During this time she was blessed to bear witness to staff and other residents as well as their family members and in turn cultivated many lasting friendships.

Her legacy will be a strong work ethic, appreciation of the arts, her love and importance of family, but above all, her love of God and her abiding faith.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel, 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, with Rev. David Snelson officiating. Interment will follow at Davis Cemetery, located on County Road 401 near Henderson.

Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, at the funeral home.

You may offer online memories and condolences at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.