Rhoda Jean "Sam/Sammie" Witherwax Stelly

January 29, 1934 - September 15, 2020

Iowa – Rhoda Jean (Witherwax) Stelly, born on January 29, 1934, daughter of the late Leonard and Doris (Miller) Witherwax, passed away in Jennings American Legion Hospital, Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at the age of 86. Sam/Sammie was married to Lawrence Stelly for 68 years until his death in 2019. They resided during the years in North Carolina, New Mexico, and California, then several locations in Louisiana, then near the Woodlawn community for the past 45 years. She was always willing to listen to everyone and offered a helping hand to those in need. She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Nelma Bunner and Billie Lynn Stevens, four brothers, Elbert H. Witherwax; Clark Witherwax; Thomas G. Witherwax; and Gregory P. Witherwax and one grandson, J. C. Stelly. She is survived by four children, Leonard L. Stelly; Samuel L. Stelly; Joel Curt Stelly; and Lisa -Stelly; one brother, Jack B. Witherwax; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held in Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Rick Batchelor officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery. Visitation begins Friday in the funeral home from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.