.png)
Stanley Ray Settles, 69 years old, affectionately known as "Stan the Man" or "Big Stan," departed this life for his new heavenly home on Thursday evening, November 21, 2024, at Fort Sanders Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Stanley was born on April 7, 1955. He was the third child born to the late Haywood Nello Settles and Sammie Berushia Canty Settles. He was a saved believer in God and a member of Overcoming Believers Church (OBC), where he regularly attended before his illness rendered him unable to get to the church services. He was a lifelong resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a product of the Knoxville City Schools System. He attended Sam E. Hill Elementary, Vine Junior High, and Austin-East High Schools. Stanley graduated as a member of the Austin-East High Class of 1973 and played on the Road Runners Basketball Team.
After high school, Stanley matriculated to Durham, North Carolina, where he attended Durham Junior College and North Carolina Central University on basketball scholarships. He graduated from North Carolina Central University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration.
Stanley was well-known for his stellar salesmanship acumen, a God-given talent. He began his sales career at Circuit City Electronics, Inc., where he was employed for 25 years. He ended his sales career at H. H. Gregg Company after eight years of service, specializing in electronics and household appliances, although he could sell anything. Stanley often received accolades, awards, and high honors for his exceptional salesmanship and professionalism. He believed in providing outstanding customer service and always went the extra mile to ensure his customers' complete satisfaction. Before his disability retirement, Stan served for several years as a counselor, helping to reform wayward male youths at the Mountain View Youth Academy in Dandridge, Tennessee. He was dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people.
Stan was a gregarious, fun-loving, extroverted individual. He was very passionate about his beliefs, his love of God, his professional sales endeavors, his family and friends, and his love of sports, being a die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan. During the last four years of his life, he became an avid bird lover and was fascinated by the behavior of these small creatures of God. His genuine love for his nieces, nephews, and children in general was steadfast, and they loved him in return.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Haywood and Sammie Settles. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving siblings: sister, Haywoodene (Rayon Harris) Hines-Harris of Rock Hill, SC; brother, Gene (Rev. Dr. Eva) Settles of Chattanooga, TN; nephews, Jamahl K. (Eve) Hines of Hartford, CT; Shanuri D. Settles of Memphis, TN; Tawambi J. (Melanie) Settles of Raleigh, NC; Jatari K. (Julia) Settles of Alpharetta, GA; five great nieces Ava Hines, Zuri, Jahla, Delilah, and Jaia Settles; two great nephews Jahsiri and Tawambi, II Settles; and a host of cousins and friends. Stanley also leaves his loving, loyal, and priceless surrogate family: Micheal (Glenda) Andrews; Larry Blair; Raylene Long; Parker Staton; Jeffry (La Tonya) Minor; John (Kathy) Sims; Darryl (Faye) McCroskey; and Chicoya (James Gallman, Jr.) Smith Gallman of Nashville, TN. All are residents of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 7th, at Overcoming Believers Church, 211 Harriet Tubman Street, at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Eva Settles will be the eulogist, and Pastor Darryl Arnold will preside. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Family visitation will be held Friday, December 6th, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at "The Chapel" at Jarnigan & Son Mortuary.