Charles Stallings

Charles “Dickie” Stallings passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, in Terrell, Texas. Dickie was born on September 21, 1936, in Terrell, Texas, to Walter and Eula Stallings. He was joyfully reunited in Heaven with his parents and brothers: Walter “Edward” Stallings Jr. and David Stallings. Growing up in Terrell, Dickie attended Terrell High School and was actively involved in several organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America and FFA (Future Farmers of America) Not long after graduating from high school, Dickie joined the Texas National Guard, driven by his love for his country and desire to be part of something greater than himself. He also pursued higher education at Texas A&M University where he planned to earn a business degree. However, after a lengthy illness, Dickie chose not to return to college, and instead, joined the family business at Stallings Implement Company in Terrell. He worked alongside his brothers at until 1986. Dickie worked at several places throughout the rest of his work-life, including Mitchell & Bourland, Inc and finally retiring from the Kaufman County Appraisal District. While in the National Guard, Dickie took advantage of numerous opportunities, such as obtaining various business certificates, earning his gunnery and tank operation certifications, and lastly, he completed Officer training which earned him the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In 1961, Dickie was called up from the Guard to Active Duty in “Readiness” status, as part of Company B, 3rd ARB/144th Infantry, 49th Armored Division and prepared for deployment during the Berlin Crisis. Although he remained on active duty for 10 months, the conflict ended and he was never deployed. Finally, after eight years and four months of service, he was honorably discharged in 1962. Dickie was a familiar face in Terrell, a regular at local coffee shops for over 60 years, and valued member of a select group of men who gathered daily for conversation and camaraderie. Also, Dickie spent countless hours on the family farm that was at the end of Eulalia St, bailing hay, and caring for a sprawling garden, where it was renowned throughout the area for its home-grown vegetables. After the farm was sold, he established a homestead just outside of Terrell, maintaining a smaller garden until he lost his sight about six years ago. He was especially known for his turnip greens, purple-hull peas, sweet corn, and okra, and loved sharing his harvest and stories with the many “pickers” who visited. Dickie never met a stranger and appreciated the simple pleasures in life. He enjoyed rocking away on his front porch and watching, and eventually just listening to, the world go by, listening to WBAP station or old-time radio station, chatting with friends and family, or attending Sunday dinners at his daughter Michelle’s home. Family memories include being taken on drives around East Texas in his big yellow car, being picked up in his beat-up IH truck from the skating rink, being “volun-told” to pick the crop of the month to help store up for the winter, and more recently, having him as a cherished presence at his son-in-law’s family Thanksgiving meals. Dickie loved his country and deeply valued the freedoms and liberties it provided. He remained affiliated with First United Methodist Church in Terrell, even when he could no longer attend in person. He believed in honoring God by doing what was right, and in the end, was ready to “go sweep the golden streets of heaven” and garden for the Lord. Left to cherish Dickie's memories are his daughters: Cheryl “Sherri” Brockway and Michelle McKechnie, and husband, Brian; nieces and nephew: Shevawn Walzel and husband, Jack; Dawn Stallings; Scott Stallings and wife, Phyllis as well as many extended family and cherished friends, all of whom will miss Dickie greatly. The family wishes to honor his memory by inviting memorial contributions to Cure Glaucoma: https://www.cureglaucoma.org/donate-now/ Services for Dickie will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 26, 2025 at the Max Slayton Funeral Chapel in Terrell, Texas. He will be laid to rest at DFW National Cemetery at a later date.

Tributes

Charles Stallings

September 21, 1936 - September 16, 2025