Mary Louise Stoutamire, 107, of Salem, Virginia, passed away on Monday, August 18, 2025. She was born on Wednesday, August 7, 1918, in Salem, the daughter of the late John Christian and Etta Elizabeth “Bess” Stoutamire. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Elizabeth Sellers, Margaret Fenner, Frances Garst, and Virginia Barrett, as well as her niece, Nancy Sellers Giles.
Mary Lou grew up in a loving and close-knit farming family on the outskirts of Salem. She graduated from Andrew Lewis High School and attended Longwood College. After college, she taught elementary school before moving to Berkeley, California, with her younger sisters. She later returned to Virginia and worked at First National Exchange Bank in Roanoke, followed by a decades-long career at Roanoke College’s Fintel Library.
A lifelong member of College Lutheran Church, Mary Lou, sang in the choir throughout her life. Her love of music also led her to join the Sweet Adelines and later serve as choir director at Richfield Retirement Center.
After retirement, Mary Lou was able to pursue her passion for art. She produced numerous works in oils, pastels, watercolors, and mixed media. Though conservative and thrifty by nature, she was generous in spirit, always giving freely to family and friends.
She is survived by her extended Stoutamire Family, including special nephews, Frank Sellers, Jr. (Kaye) and Joe Garst (Pat); and special nieces, Elaine Powers and Lynn Duke (Barry).
Mary Lou was a resident of Brandon Oaks Nursing Home for more than 20 years. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Brandon Oaks staff for the loving care they provided over the years.
A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at The College Lutheran Church in Salem with Rev. David Drebes officiating.
