Obituary of Mary Lu Stonecypher

Mary Lu was born to Ed & Dorothy Ringseth on February 7, 1930. She was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington with her older brother William, her younger sister Lois and her younger brother James (Skip). She was dedicated to the Lord at Faith Temple where she attended church until 1960. At that time she moved to Puyallup and began attending a new church, Bethany Open Bible, pastored by Ole and Evelyn Hansen. She attended there 38 years. She spent the last four years assisting her Aunt Faith, her son and his wife, Bob and Sherry, by singing and loving the residents of Regency at Puyallup, rehabilitation and assisted living facility. She was adamant about using her gifts to the glory of the Lord. "Be instant, in season and out of season" was a scripture she quoted many times. During her childhood, Mary Lu attended Stanley Elementary School, Jason Lee Junior High and graduated from Stadium High School in 1948, where she majored in sewing and music, and was president of the Victory Through Prayer Club. At the age of five, she and her brother Bill began singing on a local radio broadcast, along with her father, as their mother played the piano. She also learned to play the piano, the accordion, and the upright string bass. She ministered many years at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, Youth For Christ, and at church. Mary Lu began her illustrious cooking career at age 6, when she baked her first cake. To which she would later say that was a mistake, because she then became the family cook. Her parents were busy running a dry cleaning and tailor shop, so she had to do her part at home. There was always plenty of delicious baked goods around the house. Maybe some of you had the opportunity to enjoy some of her famous apple pie and hospitality. After graduating from high school, she married Mineford (Red) Haywood. He was a soldier stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was soon deployed to fight in the Korean conflict, but was killed in action soon after they were married. Mary Lu gave birth to their adorable son, Jerry Lee in 1951. Later that year, Mineford's family came to Tacoma from Okalahoma and California for the memorial service at which time Mary Lu met Mineford's brother Dale. After corresponding with Dale for over a year, they fell in love and married in 1952. Together they had three beautiful daughters, Diana Lynn (Dee), Merri Jane, and Dalynda Lu (Lyndie). During her marriage to Dale, Mary Lu worked as a secretary for the Volunteers of America, she taught sewing classes and repaired sewing machines at the downtown Tacoma Sears & Roebuck Co., and was later self-employed cleaning houses for new construction projects. After 19 years of marriage, in October, 1971, her husband Dale was tragically killed in a car accident. Mary Lu then used her sewing skills to provide for her family over the next few years. It was during this time that she really knew what it was to depend on the Lord for His provisions. In 1973, she was introduced to Vernon Stonecypher through God's divine intervention, and they married soon after. Vern was a very good provider and loved Mary Lu with his whole heart. He took great care of her and her children, and their marriage was very blessed over the years. They went on many wonderful trips together, seeing most of the United States. Unfortunately, Vern passed away in September, 1986 after a long battle with Mesothelioma cancer. Although Mary Lu never remarried, she was content to spend time with her children, her nine grandchildren--Joshua, Samuel, and Sarah Haywood, Jennifer Burke Brewster, Hadley, Kenny, and Matthew Sanford, and Kaelan and Claire Harkey--and her ten great-grand children--Christopher Sanford, Michael, Gabriel, and Zechariah Haywood, Freddie, Tegan, Liberty, and Jackson Brewster, and Kenny and Cody Sanford. Mary Lu's home was never without music, laughter, good food and family. As they were looking for memorabilia, her kids found a book in which she had written, "I have experienced God's clear guidance when my husband's 1, 2 & 3 died and I saw how God took care of me & guided me even when I would be afraid things wouldn't work out. The hardest thing is totally giving it to Him. We want to help; He doesn't need our help." Mary Lu's favorite scripture verse was "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Because of God's provision Mary Lu was able to touch other's lives. This made her very happy. Mary Lu had many great friends and family with whom she enjoyed spending time. She had established daily routines over the years, which usually included breakfast, shopping, and lunch, then back home in time for yard work, crafts, or watching her favorite T.V. show. Mary Lu would always say, it was the thing that made her get up and get moving each day. And, if you ever saw her out driving her turbo-super charged Riviera, you'd know what that meant. She also enjoyed traveling with her brother and sister-in-law, Skip and Dawn. Together they went on an Alaskan Cruise, a cruise to the Bahamas, and several trips back east to enjoy the leaves changing in the fall. Mary Lu thoroughly enjoyed having her family around for the holidays. It was very common to have about 30 people in her home for those meals. Over the years, she also invited many friends into her home for potlucks, but her favorite time of year was Christmas. The traditions she carried on were started by her father and mother. She put her heart into baking, decorating her home, and performances in the Singing Christmas Tree presentations at church. She would also have a special little gift for someone that came to her home. No one went home empty handed. Mary Lu loved her family enormously; she took pride in them and they flourished. Her goal in life, as she wrote in her journal, was not to have the most money, or the most stuff, but was to "raise her children to love God, and to be faithful where she was planted." So, to that it can be said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, you have been faithful with a few things, I'll make you ruler over many things, enter now into the joy of the Lord." On behalf of her children and family, thank you for being a part of her long, wonderful life and for coming today to help them celebrate her. God bless each one of you.