Stella Louise "Dee" Middleton

ARLINGTON -- Stella Louise "Dee" Middleton, 71, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, in Arlington. Funeral: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Fielder Church, 2011 S. Fielder Road, Arlington, with Dr. Gary Smith and Rev. Jerry Morris officiating. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens, Arlington. Visitation: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorials: Memorials may be made to Fielder Church or Community Hospice of Texas. Stella "Dee" was born on Jan. 19, 1943, to Joe Orson Sharp and Mabel Louise Pool Sharp in DeQueen, Ark. Stella was the seventh child of nine children. She graduated from DeQueen High School. Stella moved to Dallas after high school where she worked as a secretary acquired the nickname "Dee." In Dallas, or "the big D," she was referred to as "little D" because she was from DeQueen. Eventually, she was just named Dee. In Dallas, Stella met the love of her life and her husband of 50 years, Jack Middleton. Jack and Stella married and moved to Arlington in 1969. Stella was an active member of Fielder Road Church and faithfully served in the nursery for years. She sang in the choir, was active in Bible study and looked forward to performing in the yearly Christmas program. Together, they had three daughters and Stella created and managed a loving home for the family and friends. She also worked as a coordinator at the Senior Recreation Center until retirement. She enjoyed playing tennis, cooking, playing Mahjong, bridge and dominoes. Her love and priority was her family and friends of which she had many. Stella lived her life for the Lord and leaves behind a legacy of love. Her life can be seen in the word of God, 2 Thessalonians 1:12: "We pray this so the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Jack M. Middleton; infant daughter, Susan Dawn, in 1965; brother, Garner Sharp; and sister, Norene Martz. Survivors: Daughters, Sandra Dee Middleton, Michelle Wade and husband, Bill, Jennifer Short and husband, Jake; brothers, Willard Sharp and wife, Charlyene, Gil Sharp and wife, Libby; sisters, Ina Ruth Martz, Goldya Knox and husband, Gwen, Betty Henderson and husband, Harold, and Ollie Taggart; brother-in-law, Jack Martz; grandchildren, Caroline, Lilly, Morgan, Gracie, Cooper and Layla; and a host of family and friends. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233