Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | MS

Obituary For Rev. Algernon Stamps, Sr.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., Bolton City Cemetery, E. Madison Street, Bolton, MS 39041.

Algernon Stamps, Sr. was born on August 20, 1934, to the late William and Theresa Stamps in Utica, Mississippi. He was the second child of eleven children who was affectionately called "brother" by his family. Algernon graduated from Utica High School and thereafter attended Tougaloo College. Finances forced him to leave Tougaloo and he joined the United States Air Force stationed in Alaska.

While in the Air Force, Algernon met the love of his life, Barbara Lloyd, at her father's café in Bolton, Mississippi. They married on June 7, 1959 and moved to Arizona. In his time in the Air Force, Algernon trained pilots to fly. During his time in the military, he lived in Detroit, Michigan, Newfoundland, Canada, and Omaha, Nebraska. After 13 years in the Air Force, he came back to Mississippi and worked at Vickers. He also went back to college and obtained his bachelor degree from Jackson State University. Upon his return to Mississippi, he came to his boyhood church, Brown Chapel, and found it abandoned and in a state of disrepair. He spearheaded a fund-raising effort to build a new church from the ground up. He later became the pastor of Brown Chapel. Also as a Methodist minister he pastored Tabernacle and Pleasant Hill in Hazlehurst, Mississippi and Lowes Chapel in Crystal Springs, Mississippi.

In May of 1970, amidst student protesting at what was then Jackson State College, police opened fire killing two students. Black leaders called for a city wide boycott of white businesses in Jackson. Canterbury Grocery Store was a white owned business on Dalton street affected by the boycott. Always the visionary, Algernon Stamps saw the potential of this business and approached Mr. Canterbury about selling the store. At first Mr. Canterbury refused but he later agreed to sell. From this humble beginning, Algernon working with his wife, Barbara, ran the mom and pop store. During an interim from running the store, Algernon taught school in Puckett, Lexington, and Bolton, Mississippi. When large chain grocery stores threatened to close their mom and pop store Algernon shifted gears and created a huge home-made burger to take the place of selling groceries. The Washington Addition customers started referring to the burgers as super burgers and thus Stamps Super Burgers was born. Stamps Super Burgers grew in popularity and soon gained a reputation as the best burger in town.

Although his love for Stamps Super Burgers was deep, Algernon's greater love was for the Lord. Once again he rallied a congregation to raise money to build a church without incurring debt with a huge mortgage. The church was aptly named New Faith imbued with the faith that all things are possible with Christ. Reverend Stamps pastored New Faith with the same love and commitment as his faith in God. Rearing his six children in the church, Reverend Stamps instilled in them Christian values every step of the way.

After a lengthy illness, Algernon Stamps, Sr. departed this world on July 1, 2021 leaving his children and wife to cherish his memory. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Lloyd Stamps, daughter, Alice Stamps, son, Algernon Stamps, Jr., (Nikdra), daughter, Crystal Etheredge (Tod), daughter, Susan Pratcher (Lovell), son, Timothy Stamps and son, Philippian Stamps. Grandchildren, Tod II, Philippian, Jr., Alkebulan, Hannah, Abyssinia, Caleb, Taylar, Joey, Sarah, Sydney, Airiane, and Bishop. Grandson, William Lloyd Etheredge preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Vertie Sparks, sister, Martena Schuler, brother, Alvin Stamps, brother, Larry Stamps. Preceding him in death is his brother, Norcell Stamps, sister, Irma Stamps, sister, Hilda Britton, brother, Mark Stamps, brother, Melvin Stamps, and brother, Boris Stamps. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Algernon & Barbara Lloyd Stamps Memorial/Stamps Super Burgers Endowed Scholarship at https://www.jsums.edu/giveonline.

Guest Book

John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one that exercise is faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life."

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Condolences to the Stamps family. Jimmie Norwood & Family

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My deepest sympathy to the Stamps family, it is my prayer that in the days and weeks to come that the good memories of the one so dearly loved flood your mind and ease the pain of your loss . You all were such good neighbors on Morehouse Ave . Mr Stamps set a good example as a husband . May the scriptures bring you comfort . Revelation 21:3,4 Susan Pepper Scott 🌻

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The Wiggins Family extends our deepest sympathy to you, Sister Barbara, and the children. Our prayer is that God grant you peace , comfort and sustain you in the days ahead. For thirteen years our lives intertwined as Rev. Stamps boldly proclaimed the word of God to the Tabernacle C.M.E Church. The bond and fond memories are an indelible part of our family. We love you and you remain in our hearts and prayers.

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The Wiggins Family extends our deepest sympathy to you, Sister Barbara, and the children . We are praying for you all and asking God to comfort and sustain you in the days ahead. For thirteen years you and the children and our lives intertwined as Rev. Stamps boldly proclaimed the word of God to the Tabernacle CME church family. The bond and fond memories remain an indelible part of our family today. We love you and you remain in our heart and prayers. Georgia

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Family sorry I could not be there but know that my love and prayers are with you.My p.m. Too I'm cousin was truly a role model for me, an example of a family man of God, family and community.Love you all Elnora

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Upon hearing of Rev. Stamps' transition, all we could say was "another solider gone on home." Rev. Stamps lived a "beautiful life," characterized by a genuine love for the Lord, his family, the Body of Christ and all people. He was a godly man of faith, and always expressed a desire to see people saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. We extend heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Sis. Stamps and the Stamps family during this time. Truly, Rev. Stamps will be missed, but his kind and gentle spirit will live on in our hearts. Sincerely, Faith Christian Center Ministries Church family, Minister Edna C. Clark and the Crawford family, Utica, MS.

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The Simmons' family extends our most heartfelt sympathy to you, Sis. Stamps and to your family. Rev. Stamps inspired our family to seek more of God through His Word. His greatest desire was for "men and women to be saved and filled with God's Holy Spirit." It was this passion that drew us to seek more of God and the filling of His Spirit. His love for God, his kind and compassionate heart, his generosity, his humble caring spirit, and his desire for all people to live a better life by receiving Jesus as their personal Savior was the core of his great ministry. He greatly touched and impacted many lives in the Utica and surrounding area. He was greatly loved by the Simmons' family. To know him was to love him. He will be greatly missed by many.

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Our prayers are with you, and for you. The Vaughn family, Booker St.

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My condolences to Mrs. Stamps and family. As a child I remembered when Mr. Stamps acquired the store from Mr. Canterbury, solidifying black businesses in the community. I was proud then and I am proud now of the Washington Addition legacy that remains in our community. Rest in Peace, Gentle Giant & Faithful Servant. Paula Hughes Boyd & Family

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It was so shocking .. I to hear of the death of Pastor Stamps. I pray for special courage peace and love for your family and especially Sister Stamps. It is not easy to cope with thee loss of a father and husband. Pastor Stamps was a very endearing man of God. May he rest in peace. I will always remember him for being apart of many of our "Moncure-Harris" family reunions at New Faith and Sister Stamps cooking for in Utica. May God bless and keep you. Burnestha Wilder and the family. (Bronx, New York)

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | MS