Obituary

Vivian Irene Dickens Stamps 

April 1, 1928 — September 11, 2026

Our beloved mother stepped into heaven on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the age of 98 in Odessa, TX. Among the loved ones that greeted her arrival was her dear friend, Wanell, who had passed away on the same date 22 years earlier.

Vivian Irene Stamps was born on April 1, 1928, in Bogalusa, Louisiana to Rube & Mary Leona Dickens. She spent her early years growing up in & around Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

As a teenager, she worked as a waitress at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg. When she was 18, she met & married Jewel A Stamps on April 11, 1946. They were blessed with four children, Sherry, Janet, Mary & Paul.

In the early fifties, Jewel & Vivian decided to move to Odessa, TX for employment opportunities. She also wanted to be closer to her older sister, Ruby, who had moved to Odessa the year before. Mother often told us that she had cried for the first year after moving because Odessa was so desolate. After that first year though, she began to like Odessa a little more and decided that she never wanted to leave.

In 1956, Vivian joined Trinity Baptist Church after the pastor, Bro Paul Miller helped lead her to Jesus Christ. She was a faithful member of that church for almost 40 years. During those years she sang in the choir and taught in the beginners Sunday school class with her good friend, Dorothy. Vivian made life-long friendships during her time at Trinity that remained until she went to heaven. In 1995, she joined First Baptist Church of Odessa. She dearly loved that church! She became a member of the choir and enjoyed the Christmas & Fourth of July celebrations for many years. She loved attending the worship services. She made many new friends through the years. Vivian never met a stranger. She could talk to anyone!

After her three girls were grown, and Paul was in school, she decided that she wanted to go back to work after years of being a homemaker. She worked for Fred Wood at A-1 Plumbing for almost 17 years.

Vivian loved Jesus and never missed an opportunity to share the gospel with anyone who would listen. Her faith kept her going through some very hard times in her life.

Vivian had a love for all people. She was a caregiver to several family members and never hesitated to help anyone who needed her.

She is preceded by her parents, husband, Jewel, son Paul, grandsons Ronald Truelock and Byron Voss, who always considered his Granny to be his best friend, and three brothers & two sisters.

She is survived by daughters, Sherry Spruill and husband James, Janet Truelock all of Odessa, Mary Grayson and husband, Lynn of Cleburne, TX. Grandchildren are Shea Spruill and wife, Michelle of Katy, TX, Joshua Barrett, Ryleigh Livingston and husband, Devan all of Cleburne, TX and Shawn Spruill and wife, Sheri of Alvin, TX. Great Grandchildren are Taylor Simmons and husband, Collin of Odessa, Madeline and Santiago Spruill of Katy, TX, Cory Truelock of Eastland, TX and Siana, Teagan & Mikelah Spruill of Alvin, TX. Great, great grandchildren are Sutton Simmons and Ashlyn Truelock. Two very special great nieces, Stephanie Marquez and Dr. Courtney Ramirez-Vasilj. They loved “Bibbie” very much and she loved them. Also, Pamela Ramirez-Fannan, a niece whom Vivian considered another daughter.

Special thanks to Madison Medical Resort for taking care of our mother during her last days. Also, Dr. Courtney Ramirez-Vasilj for always being there for us with lots of love. Our sister, Janet, for living with and taking care of mother for the last six years. Lastly, James, her son-in-law, for being with her almost every day at Madison. For taking her to rehab, sitting by her bedside and all the hours spent with mother talking about Jesus and what heaven will be like. The family wishes to thank everyone that stopped by to visit mother. It meant so much to us and to her. Although we will always miss mother, we find comfort in knowing that we’ll see her again one day and we will never be separated again. When mother stepped into heaven, we believe she heard Jesus say, “welcome home my good and faithful servant, well done.”

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in the chapel. Pastor Jesse Gore will officiate.