Legacy Village of Cleveland resident Mary Margaret Stamper has lived a life filled with adventure, creativity and wholehearted joy—a life shaped by family roots in Cleveland, Tennessee and carried forward by curiosity, courage and a love for learning.

Born at home on March 23, 1947, to Walter and Margaret Abel, Mary Margaret grew up surrounded by her siblings Sandy, Dottie and Frank. Their childhood was lively and imaginative. Summers often meant neighborhood “circuses” with homemade performances and playful showmanship. Even then, Mary Margaret’s gifts were shining—she played the piano, danced ballet, tapped with ease and embraced every opportunity to express herself.

She attended Arnold Elementary School and later graduated from Bradley High School before heading to Memphis University. There, she pursued her teaching degree while also taking gymnastics, a sport she loved for its grace and discipline. During those years, she stayed connected to a familiar face from home—Joe Stamper, the boy who grew up just down the road. After college, when she returned to Cleveland, she called Joe and asked him out. That brave phone call led to a lifetime of love. They married on November 9, 1974 and celebrated their honeymoon in Hawaii.

Mary Margaret began her career as a fourth-grade teacher at North Lee Elementary School but in 1970 felt called toward the skies. She applied to Delta Air Lines flight attendant school and went on to serve with Delta for 30 years on domestic routes. Her kindness, professionalism and sense of adventure made her a natural fit for the role.



Her family’s legacy in Cleveland was also meaningful to her. Her parents owned Abel Furniture and Hardware, a John Deere tractor dealership and a sporting goods store—businesses woven into the fabric of the community.

Mary Margaret’s hobbies reflect her bold spirit. She loved hot air ballooning, hiking, skiing, rafting and off-road Jeep jamborees. Travel was one of her greatest joys and she especially cherished skiing trips in Vermont and Switzerland with Joe as well as unforgettable adventures on the Colorado River.

Her talents are as wide ranging as her interests. She is an award-winning ballroom dancer under Nelson Rodriguez, a skilled tap dancer and a lifelong gymnast. Musically gifted, she can play the clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, piano and guitar. She is also an FAA certified private pilot for single engine aircraft and an accomplished Alpine skier. Her love for animals led her into charitable work through rescue and dog training, where she poured her compassion into helping those without a voice.

Mary Margaret has always been a woman of creativity and community. She is a member of the garden club and embroidery club, a devoted reader and a longtime member of Broad Street Methodist Church. She also has a fun, whimsical side—at one point, she dreamed of becoming a circus performer at Florida State University. Her love of art and photography has followed her throughout her life, capturing beauty wherever she found it.

Today, Mary Margaret continues to inspire those around her with her warmth, resilience and remarkable life story. Her journey is a reminder that curiosity keeps us young, courage keeps us growing and joy is something we can choose again and again.