Myrtle Lee Laughter Stamey, 90, passed away Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, at the White Oak of Tryon.

A native of Polk County, Mrs. Stamey had resided in Asheville until 1973, when she moved to Las Vegas until moving back to Asheville five years ago.  She started her working career at Battery Park Hotel before becoming the owner of the Forest Manor, The Seasons, The Sky Club, and The Chapperal Club.  

Following her move to Las Vegas, she became a delegate of the Democratic Party for Nevada, as well as a leader for the Worker’s Union. Her motto until the end was that nothing on Earth is more important than people and their well-being.

Mrs. Stamey was the daughter of the late Ellis and Janie Edwards Laughter. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William McKinley Stamey Jr.; granddaughter, Anita Louise Murdock; brothers, Wylie Laughter, Ralph Laughter and Fred Laughter; and sisters, Bessie Parris, Georgia Guice, Mary Jo Kelly, Lois Case and Jessie Newman.

Surviving are her children, Louise Murdock and husband John, William M. “Bill” Stamey III and wife Debbie, Gary Lee Stamey, Jerry R. Stamey and Sondra Stamey; grandchildren, Carol Walker, Stephanie Murdock, Stacy Duncan, William Stamey IV, Michelle Layfield, Jennifer Sluder, David Sluder and Jessica Kerr; great-grandchildren, Gray Murdock, Samantha Walker, Katelyn and Ashlyn Layfield, and Wesley and Hunter Kerr; sister, Pauline Laughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. Henry Vegter officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Eliada Home for Children (eliada.org), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (StJude.org), or to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children (shrinershospitalsforchildren.org).

The family would like to offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to the staff of the White Oak of Tryon, for the excellent care and compassion that Mrs. Stamey received during her stay.

To sign Mrs. Stamey’s guestbook online, please go to “Memorials” at andersrice.com.