Obituary
Georgia Ann (James) Stumpf, (79) of Southport, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Sunday, September 8. Born March 13, 1945, to Mary (Blanck) James and Dan James in Beech Grove, she began her education at St. Mark's Catholic School and Southport High School. She later attended St. Mary-of-the-Wood's College in Terre Haute before ultimately receiving her bachelor’s degree at Indiana University and her master’s at Purdue University.
She met a handsome football player named Chuck in 1960 and they were married at St. Mark’s Catholic Church on January 27, 1967. Her cherished career as an English teacher began in Boston, MA, in 1967, and she retired in 2005 after educating scores of southside students during her 29 years at Southport High School. Loudly praised by her students for her impact on both their education and their lives even decades later, she was a Booster Club sponsor, co-founder of S.H.A.P.E., and National Honor Society sponsor for her beloved “Cardinals”.
Her laughter and joy were infectious, and she had an affinity for books, words, and her strong Catholic faith. Tiny though she was, she was fierce and larger than life—loving boldly, loudly and with refreshingly deep authenticity. Drinking a glass of “KJ” chardonnay while having a deep conversation was truly her favorite pastime. She loved her bridge and euchre groups, book clubs, fellow teachers, her IU sorority sisters (Delta Delta Delta), her St. Barnabas Small Church Community group, as well as traveling with beloved friends and family!
She was a wonderful mother and wife. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary James and Dan James. Georgia is survived by her husband of 57 years, Chuck Stumpf (Southport) and their son, Ted Stumpf (Xavier Plascencia) of Napa, CA, as well as sister Joni (Mike) Dowling, brother-in-law Ace (Carolyn) Stumpf, and numerous nieces, nephews, and a great nephew.
Family and Friends are invited to a Visitation on Tuesday, 9/17, 4pm-7pm, at Forest Lawn Funeral Home (1977 South SR 135, Greenwood, Indiana). Visitation will additionally be held on Wednesday, 9/18, at 9:30am, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30am and luncheon at St. Barnabas Catholic Church (8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis, Indiana).
The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person, at https://vimeo.com/event/4577682.
Donations in lieu of flowers are welcomed at: GRRACE Golden Retriever Rescue (www.grrace.org), Southport High School Alumni Association (www.southportalumni.com), and Perry Township Education Foundation (www.ptef.org). This information may also be found at https://www.forestlawncemetery-fh.com/obits.
Donations
Southport High School Alumni Association; www.southportalumni.com
Perry Township Educational Foundation; www.ptef.org
GRRACE Golden Retriever Rescue; www.grrace.org