Reiko Shimizu Stanfield Deter died peacefully in her sleep on December 11, 2024 at Woodland Village in Cullman, Alabama.
She was born Reiko Shimizu on November 5, 1932 in Tokyo, Japan, a surprise child, as her mother was over 40 when she was born. Her brother Humimaro was 20 years older, Emiko, her sister-15 years older and Shoichi, 10 years her elder. Her father was a tailor who adored her, until his death when she was 12. She ended up retiring after 20 years as a seamstress at Sir Edwards Haberdashery at Walt Disney World.
She married Pvt. Clarence “Stan” Curtis Stanfield who was taken in as a son to Hoyt and Eunice Grimes and brother Harry (Jimmie) and sister Dorothy in Fairview, Alabama. They had 2 daughters, Barbara & Jeannie who were both born in Japan. Her extended Grimes family was such a blessing while being a military wife. Many family holidays over the years were spent all together. She loved many pet dogs but particularly her 3 Shih Tzu‘s!
Reiko is survived by her two daughters, Barbara Stanfield Koehler of Dunwoody, Georgia and Jeannie Stanfield Duffy (Jeffrey) of Bluffton, South Carolina, 4 grandchildren Joseph Robert Koehler, Taylor Nicole Keith (Nic) & Jacob Stanfield Koehler, Chelsea Stanfield Duffy (Brian Bartiss) and great granddaughter, Cameron James Keith and recently born great grandson, Duffy Dakota Bartiss. She was preceded in death by Command Sgt Major Clarence Curtis Stanfield aka Uncle Stan, husband of 21 years and father to their two daughters; and also, her late second husband, Richard Deter of Orlando, Florida; and son-in-law Dennis Allen Koehler. She will be remembered as a sweet, kind, talented, tiny lady who was loved by many!
A small intimate memorial service will be held at a later date.
