Stovell Dacayana Elie Obituary (1948 - 2014)

Stovell Dacayana Elie "Take Comfort in the Lord, that he is my "Roc"; My Salvation, My Fortress, My Refuge, Where he is Impenetrable. He is my Living Protector, and my deliverer. He is My Strength, my Stronghold." Proverbs 6, 20 - 22 20 My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. 21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22 When you roam, they will lead you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. Proverbs 7, 1-5 1 My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and live, And my laws as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your nearest kin, 5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. Dad would say it best "I live out west, where the living is best!" Stovell Dacayana Elie resided in the City of Tucson, AZ for about 35 years before he laid to rest in this little "big" town that he loved so much. He was born the same year that Harry S. Truman was elected president, for his second term; during the first Olympic Games to be shown on home television, the London Games; the year Burma became an independent nation; and the same year that the Cleveland Indians beat Boston to win their second World Series Pennant since 1920. He was born in Cleveland, OH, on August 10, 1948 to two young and very proud parents, Eldridge and Pamfila Elie Sr. Stovell Dacayana Elie was a bright and gifted young man. Though later he confessed, to most, to be the "blacksheep", from his early childhood, members of the family recognized how intelligent he was. His Aunt Leela, his parents, and other members of the family would help nurture this through the years. Into his high school years, Stovell would excel in his education academically, socially, and in sports. His senior year Stovell was the student body president, had the lead part in the school play, was an accomplished wrestler, had a full-time job, and had a workable understanding of the family business and carpentry trade under his belt. After graduation Stovell entered the Vietnam War as a volunteer for the Air Force; a true patriot and a firm believer in those famous words uttered by a man he admired "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Shortly after returning home from the Vietnam War in 1971, Stovell learned of a new threat that he must face; one that would prove to be a lifelong war and true test of his will. This threat was caused by an "Agent Orange" strain of cancer that nearly took his life, on multiple occasions. But, being that warrior and strong willed individual, Stovell never backed down, he never gave in or succumbed to his medically assumed fate; and, he kept his faith in God at the forefront of his arsenal. He also pulled strength, to keep fighting day to day, from the love and joy he found in spending time with and growing his family ALL of you. With optimism that was infectious, Stovell was a family man, a God fearing man, and true "renaissance man" he was a good man, is loved, will be missed by many, and I'm sure I speak for all when I say, "We love you!" Stovell was survived by his siblings: Eldridge Elie Jr (Delores), Margarita Elie, Pamfila McClellan (Bruce), and Johnathan Boozer-Elie; and by his deceased siblings: Petronilla "Toni" Elie, Denise Barnes, and Philip Jenkins By his deceased children: Gia Elie; his surviving children: Genghis Elie (Tanya) , Tamerlane Elie (Pamelia), Kiana Elie; his ext. children: Christy Garren (Greg), Babette Souter (Jason), Robert Jennings (Lauren), and Charlie Gripentrog