Beloved Stewart School Worker, Tutor, Grandmother Dies

During 47 years as a worker, volunteer, aide, teacher, tutor and supportive presence at Stewart Elementary School, Wilma Balentine became a fixture to generations of children, teachers and school staff. Still eager to return to the school in the fall, she died on Saturday. She was 81.

Working steadily and tirelessly in the lunchroom, classrooms, hallways — wherever and whenever needed — she is likely more widely remembered than anyone else in the school's history. She started there in 1964 as a volunteer. She worked as an aide, a lunch supervisor, afterschool leader and volunteer, said Stewart prinicipal Carol Butcher. She also taught cooking and sewing and tutored in math and reading.

Butcher recalled Wilma's can-do spirit and relentless willingness to take on any task. Even during the most recent school year she was able to hike the challenging hill at the school.

"This lady could have probably been with the Donner Pass people and made it through," Butcher said. "The kids loved her and she said (Stewart) was her home."

Butcher said Wilma often could be seen in the hallways giving lessons to students with flash cards.

"She didn't need breaks, but the kids did."

Wilma's children, granddaughter and great-grandchildren have attended Stewart.

Born as Wilma Cope in tiny Fanshawe in eastern Oklahoma, she became a standout softball and basketball player. She moved to Crows Landing in Stanislaus County and graduated from Orestimba High School as valedictorian. The next day she married Floyd Balentine, who had moved to California to be with her. The couple reared four children and took in another couple of dozen foster children.

"She also always said she couldn’t believe people would be taking care of her because she was the one whose life job it was to take care of others," Butcher said. "In the years I got to work here, right up until this year, I came to love and respect her tremendously."

Butcher remembered some parting words at the end of the school year.

"She said to me when she left, not feeling well, she hugged me and said well if this was it, she’d had a good life."

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband Floyd of 56 years, her sons, Brian and Roger, two sisters Shirley and Bobbye and brother Johnny as well as her parents, Roy and Delia. She is survived by her sister, Janette Silva of Fremont, brother Gene Cope of Crows Landing; daughter Mina Dyer and son David Balentine, both of Pinole; granddaughter Robin Leach and her husband Todd and two great grandsons, Tyler and Trace, all of Honolulu; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Wilson & Kratzer Mortuary, 455 24th Street, Richmond, CA. Burial will follow at Rolling Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Stewart Elementary School.

The PTA is hosting a recognition-of-service potluck following the internment here around 1:30 p.m.

The mortuary's website has posted her obituary.