Mrs. Ara Lee Stidam

Mother Ara Lee Stidam "Big Mama" age 96 of Desoto, Texas passed away April 3, 2011. Born February 21, 1915 to Govenor and Callie Jones in Northam, Texas (Freestone). She attended school in Wortham and Navarro county schools in Corsicana, Texas. Mother Stidam worke as a food servicee supervisor for the Goodwill Industries until her retirement for health-related reasons from the worked she loved so well - helping others.

She was also a tireless, fatihful servant of our Lord. Mother Stidam, along with her husband, Rev. James Stidam, asst. pastor of Tel-Star Primitive Baptist Church, served as amissionary for the sick and for nursing home facilities in the Dallas Community. She also served as a devoted mother of the Prayer Band Chhristian Group. Her pride and joy was her service to the Mother's Board at Tel-Star Primitive where she was awarded a special honor as the "Mother of the Church."

Mother Stidam is survived by one daughter, Dorothy Myrick (King); two sons, William Polk (Maggie) and Lesley Polk (Marene); two stepsons, James Stidam and Rev. Paul Stidam; eight grandchildren, Vincent Polk, Rhonda Henderson, Gregory Polk (Deborah), Gary Pold, Stephanie Polk, Rodney Polk, Erick Polk (Christine) and Dr. Dorkina Tops (Terrill); a host of great grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; other relatives and life-long friends.

Mother Stidam was preceded in death by her first husband, Lewis Polk; second husband, Rev. James Stidam; two grandchildren, Debra Enge and Bobbie Polk; two step grandchildren, Barbara Stidam and Kenneth Stidam.