Ophelia Jones Stallings, 98 of Lenoir, waltzed into heaven on the afternoon of December 15, 2023. She joined her husband Archie who we feel sure asked her "Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?"

Born on September 11, 1925 in Hickory, she and her family moved to Lenoir a short time later where she resided the remainder of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Danie Jones, brother James Jones, sister Evelyn Jones Nelson, and Archie Stallings her husband of 52 years. Those left to cherish her memory include her son Mark Stallings and wife September of Lenoir, her granddaughter Amelia Stallings Davis and husband Dr. Eric Davis of Chapel Hill, and many friends.

She graduated from Lenoir High School in 1944 and after graduation attended King's Business College in Charlotte, NC where she studied business.

Ophelia began her long tenure of service to others when the staff of Lenoir High School asked for a volunteer to answer the telephone for a few hours at the Lenoir High School Band Building. That led to her becoming the secretary, (affectionately known as Phoebe) for the band for 33 years where she assisted many students by issuing music, fitting uniforms, chaperoning trips, and assigning lockers, among her many other duties. She also compiled the band scrapbooks documenting the history of the Lenoir High School Band. There were 3 sets made of each book. A highlight of Ophelia's life was visiting the UNC Chapel Hill library in 2015 where one of the sets is housed. She enjoyed viewing the scrapbooks and reminiscing about the band's accolades with her granddaughter who was a student at UNC at the time.

Ophelia and Archie founded Stallings Printing Company in 1967. She was active in the business as the bookkeeper until her early 90's continuing the time-consuming process of recording transactions on paper so she could "double check the computer".

She and Archie enjoyed ballroom and western style dancing for many years. They were members of several dance clubs and enjoyed socializing and teaching many others to dance. Ophelia loved coordinating her and Archie's dance attire for which they were well known. She also especially enjoyed planning and decorating for these events.

Ophelia was also very involved at Whitnel United Methodist Church where she was a member over 70 years. She took on responsibilities as a Nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, Church Historian, Sunday School Superintendent, Choir Secretary, and was a member of the United Methodist Women.

Ophelia enjoyed traveling, shopping, sporting some "bling", and going to Harrah's Casino "for the concerts".

The Stallings family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to all of the caregivers who worked with Ophelia over the last few years.

The receiving of friends will be Friday, December 22, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel with Rev. Leon Morrow officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Colliers' United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be representatives of her church family, dance family, and the family business.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the James C. Harper School of Performing Arts, Post Office Box 390, Lenoir, NC 28645 or AMOREM, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645

Words of comfort may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Stallings.