Erma Lee Stennett

Erma Lee Stennett, of the Sharon community, went to her Heavenly home on March 15, 2025, eight days short of her 95th birthday. Born March 23, 1930, in Taylorsville, MS, Erma was the second of seven children of Clarence and Ruby Davis. Erma was a retired Cosmetologist, having built and practiced at Erma Stennett's Hair Styles in West Laurel for over twenty years. Erma and her close friend, Deborah Warren, had a large and faithful clientele of customers. Erma and her husband, Billy, planted and operated Reedy Creek Daylily Gardens in Sharon for two decades. They both were accomplished hybridizers of daylilies and created numerous unique daylilies and sold them nation-wide, some of them selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars each. Their garden was a frequent tour stop for buses and vans full of flower enthusiasts from throughout the southeastern USA. The Laurel area is full of lilies that were grown in their gardens. Erma and Billy both won numerous awards, trophies and ribbons from the American Daylily Society and won best-in-show at numerous regional flower shows. Countless daylilies created in their gardens were registered and patented with the Society. Erma was especially proud of her "Ruby Davis", named for her mother and given to numerous family members, and her burgundy "Debbie Trotter", named for a special friend. Erma loved to travel with Billy and, later, with her siblings. She cherished the times she could spend with her siblings and hosted an annual reunion for several decades. Music broke out spontaneously at every occasion because everyone could play an instrument. Her two granddaughters, Lauren and Katy, held a special place in her heart and she was overjoyed at the birth of her only great-granddaughter, Camille. Her last months were enjoyed and enhanced by the love and assistance from special caregivers, DeKayla Davis, Dawn Drawn and Felicia Jones, all she came to love dearly. Their fierce loyalty and compassionate care extended her life and enhanced its quality. Thanks to Sarah Livingston for sending into our lives. Erma was a lifelong musician, adept at playing piano, organ and several stringed instruments. She was a twenty-eight year member of a great church, Life Church, Laurel. Special thanks are extended to Dana, Nicole and Lea of Amedysis Home Health, Saundra Rooks, Dotty, Camia, Ashley and the staff of Deaconess Hospice for their compassionate care, and the Christian Food Mission (Greg Brown) and its wonderful people (Sharon First Baptist Church) who staff the Sharon route. Erma was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Billy N. Stennett; parents, Clarence and Ruby Davis; brother, J.C. Davis (Doris); sisters, Marell Sanford, Joyce Fields (Norman Wayne); brother-in-law, Bobby Stringer; sister-in-law, Jean Stennett Jarvis. Erma is survived by her son, Milton (Kathy) of the Sharon community, granddaughters, Katy Smith (Mike), Jacksonville, AL, and Lauren Walters (Roderick) and great-granddaughter, Camille Walters, of the Myrick community. Erma is also survived by brothers, Paul Davis (Ella), Taylorsville, MS, Rev. Larry David Davis (Debby), Nettleton, MS; sister, Ruth Stringer, Hempstead, TX; brother-in-law, Hulon Sanford, Richland, MS; and a plethora of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will include Roderick Walters, Mike Smith, Tim Sanford, Ron Jarvis, Rick Sumrall, and Mike Mulkey. Visitation will be at Memory Chapel, Laurel, MS, Friday, March 21st, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., with a celebration of her life to follow at 11 a.m. from the chapel. Officiants will be Rev. Josh Fletcher, Rev. David Hagan and Rev. Larry David Davis. Music will be provided by Rev. Marcus and Saundra Rooks. Interment will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.memorychapel.com.

Erma Lee Stennett

March 23, 1930 - March 15, 2025