Willie Jean Stiger

Willie Jean Stiger was born on March 14, 1935, in Fayette, Alabama, to Readus Harton, Sr. and Lovie Harton. She was the fourth of eight children born into this loving union.

Willie Jean received her education in the Fayette County School System and graduated from Fayette County Training School in 1953.

Soon after graduation, she made the brave move to Louisville, Kentucky, where she initially resided with her sister Jewel and her husband. While working at Bright’s Drug Store, she met Robert Jackson Stiger, Jr. After a period of courtship, the two were united in marriage. Their union endured for sixty years, until Robert’s passing in October 2017. To this union two daughters were born, Janice Stiger Bryant and Yvette Renee Stiger.

After her time at Bright’s Drug Store, Willie Jean worked as an elevator operator at the Seelbach Hotel until the birth of her daughter Janice. She then devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother until the late 1960s, when she returned to the workforce as a secretary at Dan C. Byck Elementary School.

She later accepted the position of bookkeeper at Greathouse Shryock Elementary School, where she served faithfully until her retirement in the late 1990s.

At a young age, Willie Jean became the first in her family to be added through baptism to West Highland Church of Christ. After moving to Louisville, she first attended Burnett Avenue, then Beech Street which became West Broadway Church of Christ and later became a faithful member of West End Church of Christ, where she worshiped until her passing.

Willie Jean leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Janice Stiger Bryant and Yvette Renee Stiger; her grandchildren, Timothy Bryant (Lacye) and Taylor Bryant; her great-grandchildren, Arianna, Lincoln, and Kennedi Bryant; her brother-in-law, Booker T. Lester, Jr.; her sisters-in-law, Mary Lee Stiger and Norma Jean Arnold; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, church family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Jackson Stiger, Jr.; her parents, Readus Harton, Sr. and Lovie Harton; and her siblings, Robbie Lee Harton, Hazel Elizabeth Andrews, Jewel L. Sanders, Readus Harton, Jr., George Louis Harton, Doris Ann Lester, Grover Lee Harton. She was also preceded in death her great-grandson, Avery Reese Bryant.

Beyond her work and service, Willie Jean deeply loved her family. She had a very close bond with her two daughters. They enjoyed their time shopping and travelling together. In addition, she shared a close bond with each of her siblings, and she and her husband opened their home to her younger siblings as they transitioned to Louisville. She cherished the summers when her grandchildren visited and welcomed many nieces and nephews for overnight stays throughout the years. She also dearly loved her church family, who offered strength and support during her health battles. She will be remembered by many names Jean, Granny, Aunt Jean, Auntie, Miss Jean, and Sister Sweetie. Willie Jean’s kindness, devotion, and faithful spirit will be remembered always, and she will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be Friday, July 31, from 11am-1pm, at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, Southwest Louisville Chapel, 10304 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY, with a celebration of Willie Jean's life beginning at 1pm.

Willie Jean will be laid to rest at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Central, 2501 N. Dixie Blvd, Radcliff, KY beginning at 2:30pm.

To leave a special memory of Willie Jean for the family, please visit the "Guestbook" below.