Letty Jane Colbert Stalvey passed away peacefully at her home in Orlando, FL January 14, 2022, surrounded by her family.

She was born August 22, 1935 in Huxford, AL to Stella and Noah. She was a proud tribal member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and was raised on the reservation in Atmore, AL until she was 12 when her mother passed. She went to live with her two brothers Eugene and Jack in turn, creating a life-long close bond. Letty’s humble beginning made her into the vivacious, courageous, strong and proud woman that her family and friends delighted in knowing.
Depending on who in the family you ask, you might have met Jane or you might have met Letty. Regardless of which name she was called, she had many friends and family that loved and wanted to spend time around her.

She was married to the love of her life, Arlie (or Bob) for 61 years and together they had 6 children. Letty was a military wife and homemaker while she, her husband and their children traveled the world and the United States until they settled in Orlando, FL in 1972.

Letty worked several years with Walt Disney World in the early 70’s and retired after 30 years from the corporate office of Budget Rent-A-Car. Before and since her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Helen. They visited Austria, Germany and Hawaii just to name a few. Her adventures closer to home include a yearly trip to Mardi Gras; going to garage sales with her son Bobby, and antiquing and shopping to find the best deal she could; cruising the Caribbean; pulling the slot machine handle to press her luck (lady luck was always on her side); and fishing with her grandchildren and friends in Georgia.

She loved cookbooks, but loved to go out to eat more. She loved good times and to laugh and was even known to tell a risqué joke or two if you asked her. She loved shoes, but loved being barefoot on a beach more. If you stopped by her house around Christmas, her love of the season was readily apparent from the outside decorations her son Bobby loving put out, to her tree inside with over 300 Santa Clauses (and a plastic alligator for her grandchildren to find each year). She collected Longaberger baskets, nativity scenes, Madam Alexander and Barbie dolls and Trail of Painted Ponies to display her Native American heritage and her love of Christmas year round. To celebrate her heritage, she went to the annual Powwow held on the reservation in Atmore, AL on Thanksgiving Day where more than 20 tribal nations were represented to compete in dancing, singing and the beating of the drums. While Arlie was the love her life, Elvis was the man who sang to her and made her knees week. She went to as many concerts and live performances as she could find. Her son Bobby took her to her first Cher concert in 2018.

Letty loved her stories and could not be reached from 12:30pm until 2pm because that was when The Young and Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful was on. The early years of MTV was one her favorite channels because she loved music. Survivor, American Idol, the Voice and Dancing with the Stars became staples in her weekly routine as well, to root for her favorite.

Letty loved her birthday and she always wanted to be surrounded by her loved ones. This was always a big celebration for her as she was loved by family and friends alike.

Some of her favorite foods were made by Helen, Margaret, and Mary. She anxiously awaited a fruit cake, a pound cake and divinity each year at Christmas. And when she traveled north, she knew she would get some good country cooking. The competition was stiff between all her “sisters” for which one made the best pound cake. There is no definite answer to this day.

Letty is survived by her oldest son and primary caregiver Bobby Stalvey, Orlando, FL; favorite daughter Brenda (Johnny) Nash, Hahira, GA; Larry aka Bruce Stalvey (Janice), Orlando, FL; Michael aka her daily 6:30pm phone call (Jane) Stalvey, Orlando, FL; the baby Ronnie (Suzanne) Stalvey, Orlando, FL; bonus daughter Jean Pearson; grandchildren: Jason (Tara) Nash, Samantha Stalvey, Jarrett Stalvey, Sydney (Edward) Stalvey-Lyons, Brett Stalvey, and Emma Pearson

Letty was preceded in death by her parents, Stella and Noah; husband, Arlie; son, Roger; and siblings, Jack and Eugene, and Jimmy Two Worlds and Doris.

The family will be receiving friends and family for viewing on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 5pm to 8pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 895 Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, FL 32822. Her funeral service will follow on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 1pm at Real Life Christian Church, 2565 E Kaley Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. Letty’s final resting place will be at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood St, Orlando, FL 32801 alongside her husband.