Stella Mae Hagar

Memphis, TN
Formerly of Holt, MI

Stella Mae Hagar was released from her long battle with Alzheimer’s when she peacefully passed away on October 14, 2017, and is now face to face with her Savior.

Stella was born August 24, 1936, in Arkansas to Otis Hewitt and Elsie Park. She married Orla Wayne Hagar November 11, 1954. They later moved to Michigan and raised their three daughters.

She developed a heart for educating Sunday School Pre-School Teachers. Stella spent many years with Central Baptist Association, Baptist State Convention of Michigan, and the Southern Baptist Convention presenting training conferences. Literacy became a focus for her life; tutoring elementary students who struggled in reading, teaching adult non-readers as well as assisting non-English speaking immigrants in the Lansing area Hmong population.

Stella was the oldest of six sisters and was unwavering in her faithfulness for and loyalty to them.

However, her most all-encompassing passion was being a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. Spending as much time with her grandchildren as she could, Stella could be found stretched out on the floor reading books until her voice gave out. She played games, sang songs, attended school and Church events, and appreciated each child’s individuality.

Stella was preceded in death by her loving husband, Orla, and her sister-in-law, Viola Wisner.

She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Carol (Kevin) Ferrell, Pamela Annette Orr, and Vicky Lynn (Micheal) Alspaugh. Her much-loved grandchildren, Benjamin Thomas (Cara) Ferrell, Emily Rebekah (Michael) Cain, Jonathan David Ferrell, Abigail Hannah (Ken) Huhtala, who all called her “Gram,” Rachel Elizabeth (James) Lysakowski who called her “Missy,” and Hannah Koryn and Sarah Kaitlyn Alspaugh who called her “Granmamomma.”

Additionally, she was “GG” to her great-grandchildren, Addison Olivia Cain, Piper LaMae Huhtala, Jillian Elise Cain, Grace Pearl Ferrell, and Matthew Joshua Cain. Stella is also survived by her sisters, Sallie Marie Frith, Rita Sue McClintock, Clara Ann (Dick) Matheny, Karen Lee Solomon, Sandra Rosetta Park and sister-in-law Iola (Randall) Hargraves.

Additionally, she was a loving aunt to numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Please join the family in a time of remembrance from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel.

Interment service will be held in the Chapel of Deepdale Memorial Gardens, Lansing on Friday, October 20, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Stella’s life will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the Worship Center of Cedar Street Church, 1705 Cedar Street, Holt, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.