Oleta Gantt

LONGVIEW — A celebration of the life of Oleta Mae Gantt, 93, of Longview, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5, 2012, at the "The Bridge Building" of Mobberly Baptist Church on Loop 281 in Longview. Alan Johnson of One Mission Ministries will officiate. The celebration will be followed by lunch. Oleta was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on April 26, 2012, from her home at Heritage House in Marshall.
Mrs. Gantt was born June 26, 1918, in Bonham, Texas, where she was raised. She was one of four children born to Walter and Pearl Fennel Stewart. Oleta married Rayford Gantt on her 20th birthday, June 26, 1938. They celebrated 71 years of marriage before Rayford's death in 2009. The couple moved to Longview more than 55 years ago, where Oleta excelled as wife, mother and homemaker.
After raising her two children, she took a place behind the cash register at Gibson's Discount Center on Mobberly Avenue, where she was known as the friendliest, most well-liked "checker." She was a longtime member of the Mobberly Avenue Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher to remember! After a move to Hallsville, Oleta and Rayford joined the First Baptist Church of Hallsville.
She was preceded in death by Rayford Gantt, her beloved husband of 71 years; her parents, Walter and Pearl Stewart; two brothers, Y.C. and James Stewart; and a host of friends and family.
She is survived by her son, Darrell Gantt and partner, Wendy Bones, of Seattle, Washington; daughter, Janice Tustison and partner, Robert Smith, of Longview; daughter-in-law, Freda Gantt of Liberty City; brother, Glen Stewart of Tulsa, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Latricia Lee, Shawna Britten, Billy Martaindale and Melinda Lasayone of Longview, Kari Gantt of Liberty City, Randy Gantt of Ellensburg, Washington, Stacy Hammond of Taos, New Mexico, and Kelli Allen of Liberty City; 24 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; lifelong friends and family members, Della Hicks and Johnny and Linda Allen of Liberty City; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Oleta lived in her own home, until recently, where she could be found loving on her dogs, cats, parakeets and Pinkie, cooking for her family, hummingbird watching and Western movies.
The family wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to Heart'sWay Hospice, Chaplain Don Ross, special hospice nurses, Barbara and Susan, special friends, Lafaye Richardson of Hallsville and Lynn Tustison of Longview, and the kind and gracious staff of Heritage House, especially Camie and Teri.
Special thanks to beloved daughter, Janice, and partner, Robert Smith, who provided incredible care. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.