Edna McCaleb Stovall

Edna Marie McCaleb Stovall was born November 28, 1921 in Ralls to Opal and Fred McCaleb. This talented, loving, fearless woman began her life in Ralls, TX. She attended Ralls schools and graduated from Ralls High School in 1939. She and Clyde Stovall married in Lubbock, January 1940, and lived most of her life in Lubbock. Her strength, courage and faith inspired many and she was loved by all who knew her. With her ever present smile, she would remind us “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

Mother was a very capable artist in multiple mediums, a talented and creative seamstress, a good cook and her hands always had something to crochet or knit in a basket beside her chair.

Other women achieve nobleness and strength of character, but Mother achieved more nobleness and strength when each experience that should have proven itself negative for her, she just continued to live faithfully and fully even when she had polio at age 23 with two young children. Her Mother and her husband coached her through exercises, water therapy, and other chiropractic therapies throughout which she continued to live as if this was just “normal”. When daddy had cancer, losing his voice box to that disease, she stood by him and never forgot the love they had for one another. As polio continued to be relentless, taking away more of her abilities and leaving her without the use of her legs, daddy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This presented greater challenges and she again stepped up and began a habit of daily visits to the center where he resided for a short time prior to his death, supporting whatever needs he had, bringing him a favorite snack even though he no longer recognized her or realized who she was, spreading cheer and putting that beautiful smile on for daddy…it always cheered him on. She began a new phase of life living alone, driving to the store, shopping, beauty shop and church. Then the final event, when mother’s rotator cuffs just gave out in July 2014. She had to give up her independence, an event that would put most of us into deep depression or a state of sadness. She pulled up her big girl pants and went right on as usual. She had to have caregivers in her home and she really didn’t want to just because it felt like she was being invaded in the privacy of her home. Some of the caregivers she encountered were troubled with broken marriages, many hungry children and little food and extreme poverty. Mother listened and learned of a world she had not experienced. She often mentored them offering them some of her faith and courage. One of the ladies was troubled and living in terrible circumstances, but before you knew it she just borrowed my mother to replace the one she never had. She loved her as family and in the end of days, sat with mother day in and out speaking gently to her and praying with her. She attended church faithfully with her for 8 months.

Mother was truly amazing, never feeling sorry for herself, never complaining, never saying, “I can’t do that”. She was a modern woman in charge of her life and living large in her own way. She was ageless in her conversations, speaking of current events, knowledgably, and habitually working her crossword puzzle. We always laughed about the Annual Signing Party I had….so many people came there was no parking for several blocks (word got around in 1959 without cellphones, FB, Instagram, messenger). So many people were in our house in every room, even the patio, front porch, garage and up and down the 20 foot hallway sitting on the floor signing annuals, in the bathtub and anywhere there was a spot. Mother had gone to her bedroom to freshen up and could not get out for about 3 hours. Daddy had been out of town and flew in at the airport but couldn’t park at the house and didn’t know the people driving the cars were all at our house. He was in shock. But it has been a story she loved to tell.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda (Al) Swening; grandchildren, Mark (Tammy) Swening, Steve Swening, Scott (Estella) Stovall, Rebecca (Jerry) Rabenauldt, Kara Stovall; Seven great-grandchildren. Her husband, Clyde and son, Clyde, preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Lubbock Children’s Home. Log on to resthavenfuneralhome.com to view her full obituary.