Ara Aileen Stinnett

Ara Aileen Hardin Stinnett passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 22, 2012. Aileen was born June 17, 1920 to Floyd Shaw Hardin and Vera McDavid Hardin in Abilene, Texas. Mom graduated from Abilene High School and McMurry College. She was a proud majorette for the McMurray Indians band. Mom was active in music her whole life and met her future husband, James Owen Stinnett, who at the time was stationed at Camp Barkley in Abilene, where her trio and his quartet were swapping songs one Sunday afternoon at a friend’s house. That first chance meeting was the beginning of what would evolve into 47 years of marriage with seven children. When dad left Camp Barkley to go to World War II, mom wrote her song “I’ll Wait For You” as a pledge to her husband, the man she loved. The song ultimately would raise over $500,000 in war bonds. She played and sang that song throughout her life.

Mom lived in many places due to her husband’s career in the Air Force. Everywhere they lived, mom ended up playing the piano or organ at a local church. Upon moving to San Angelo in 1959, mom was recruited to play the organ at the Goodfellow AFB chapel. She later played the organ at Emmanuel Episcopal and First Christian Church before moving to First Presbyterian where she was the organist for 17 years, retiring in 1995. Mom’s ministry was her hands and her love of music. She accompanied many soloists in and around San Angelo and cherished her time playing in the San Angelo Symphony. Just last weekend, mom played the piano at Sagecrest and entertained her daughter and grandchildren.

Mom volunteered countless hours with the Shannon Auxiliary for 25 years and served on the state auxiliary board. She was a lifetime member of the PTA and was a member of the Philharmonic Society. Mom was tireless in parenting her 7 children, especially during the year dad was in Vietnam. She was remarkable in managing to hold the family together during this anxious time.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband Owen. Survivors include her sons, Ken and wife, Laverne of Las Cruces, NM; Dave, Rick and wife, Mary Gail of San Angelo; Bobby of Des Moines, IA; Mike of Rowlett, TX; and daughters Kathy of Fort Worth; and Sherry and husband, Jeff Sefcik of San Angelo. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her family would like to thank the staff of Sagecrest and Dr. Vicki Forlano. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Aileen Stinnett Fund @ First Presbyterian Church, 32 N. Irving, San Angelo, TX, 76903 or a favorite charity.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 – 8:00 PM Sunday, March 25th at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, March 26th at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bill Proctor officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at johnsons-funeralhome.com