Helen Stamey Small

Helen Stamey Small, 85, of Lenoir Rd., Morganton, NC died Friday, October 26, 2007 at College Pines Nursing Center following a brief illness. She was born in Haywood County, NC on May 10, 1922 and was a daughter of the late Nelson Winfred Stamey and Katie Katherine Melinda Vance Stamey. Helen and her husband, Clyde, owned and operated Smalls Flowers for 46 years. She was a member and past president of the Morganton Women’s Club; was a member of Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club where she was Ladies Champion three times and was also an avid bridge player; and was a member of the Morganton Elks Lodge where she was past president of the Does. Helen was affectionately known to her family and friends as "Big Mama".Surviving are her children, Woody Boland of Burlington, NC, Clyde E. "Buster" Small, Jr. of Birmingham, AL, Tim Small of Morganton, and Sara Lynn Oakley and her husband, Stan, of Morganton; eight grandchildren including Mandi of Morganton, ten great-grandchildren; and sisters, Betty Chambers of Charlotte, Norma Shook of Atlanta, and Edith Williams of Hickory. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde E. Small, Sr.; brothers, Robert and John Stamey; and by sisters, Sara LoPresti and Dorothy Butt.The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2007, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr., Rev. Dr. Sydnor Thompson III, Rev. Holly Adams, and Dr. Amalie Hinson officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church from 10 until 11:00 a.m.