Minniebelle Stalker, 87, passed away peacefully at home on October 25, 2016. She was born in Lompoc on February 2, 1929, to Samuel and Geneva Hoover. Her grandmother settled in Lompoc in the early 1900's, making her a third generation Lompoc citizen. She was a lifelong resident, and was proud to tell everyone about the splendor of the Lompoc Valley.

After she graduated from Lompoc High School in 1946, Minniebelle attended college in Santa Barbara before marrying Don Wesley Stalker on December 19, 1947. They had two children, Stephen and Deborah. Minniebelle and Don shared 65 years of loving and active family life together before Don's passing in 2012. They enjoyed camping at Lake Tahoe, visiting local beaches, traveling, attending Lompoc High sports, and being with family and friends. Minniebelle was a skilled seamstress, chef, and bridge player, with a gift for entertaining. Her warmth and joyful spirit permeated her family and social life.

Many Lompoc residents who grew up here in the 1960s-1980s remember Minniebelle for her role in the Lompoc Valley Middle School attendance office for 25 years. She loved her work and was proud to help teachers, administrators, and students. She also worked the busy holiday season at Stalker's Mens' & Ladies' Apparel in downtown Lompoc from 1950 until it closed in 1976. In 1986, Minniebelle received the Lompoc Unified School District Community Citizen of the year award for her commitment to her work. When she retired in 1987, she also received an award from the Lompoc Community Service Labor Coalition for "Service to the People of Lompoc and for Loving Dedication to Students and Staff from 1961-1987."

Minniebelle was an active member of the community, participating in many different groups, such as Sewing Club, Alpha Club, Lompoc Valley Historical Society, Lompoc High School Alumni Association, The Children's Home Society, Lompoc Valley Hospital Auxillary, VIVA animal shelter and the Presbyterian Church. She was always lending a hand or giving a supportive hug. Strangers quickly became friends, and even stray animals got a nice meal and found a new home.

The deep love that Minniebelle instilled in her family came full-circle during the last years of her life. Her daughter, Debbie, provided care and companionship for her parents, along with the much appreciated support of a caretaking team and their son Steve. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Geneva Hoover; her brother, Sam; and her loving husband, Don Wesley Stalker. She is survived by two children, Stephen Don Stalker and Deborah Lynne Walker; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Stalker; four grandchildren, Eric Wesley, Lauren Henderson, Nathan Walker, and Jennie Walker; and 3 great-granddaughters, Geneva Grace Walker, Deborah Rose Walker, and Vienna Belle Walker--who is Minniebelle's namesake. There are also 4 nieces and 2 nephews surviving.

Our family is proud that we had such a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend in our lives. She will be remembered as gregarious and full of life, with a hearty laugh. Minniebelle touched the lives of all who knew her, and she will be missed. We will forever hold fond memories of her life and our time together.

Memorial service will be held at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary on Saturday, November 26, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, give your loved ones a big hug and tell them how much they mean to you. Minniebelle would have liked that.