Rachel June Stephens

Rachel June Stephens, 92 years of age, passed away on April 21 at Elmcroft Assisted Living Home in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mrs. Stephens was born on March 9, 1924 in Cooper, Texas to Jasper C. and Effie Stagner Russell. She was a long time resident of Van Alstyne, Texas.

Rachel retired from the Johnson and Johnson Company in Sherman, Texas in 1982 where she had worked in the accounting department. For many years after she retired, she assisted her brother James Russell at the Hix Auto Parts store in Van Alstyne, Texas. Additionally, she volunteered her time for the Van Alstyne Public Library and Van Alstyne Historical Museum during her retirement.

Prior to working for Johnson and Johnson, she worked for Quaker Oats in Sherman, Texas. During World War II, she worked in the Houston Shipyards as a first class welder building Liberty Ships and was one of the first female welders at the shipyard. She moved back to the Dallas, Texas area where she worked for Sears and Roebuck Company in the accounting department. She continued to live on and operate her farm in Cannon, Texas after her husband’s death in 1962. Mrs. Stephens called Grayson county home for over 75 years.

Mrs. Stephens was a long time member of the Van Alstyne Church of Christ. She graduated with the highest grade point average in her class from Celina High School and later attended Grayson Community College. She was a member of the basketball team in high school. She loved dogs, horses and sports. She was an avid Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Texas Ranger fan.

Mrs. Stephens’ husband: J.C. Stephens, parents: Jasper and Effie Russell, brothers: James, Jack, and Billy Russell, and sister: Imogene Slaughter preceded her in death. Surviving Mrs. Stephens are her nephews David Russell of Huntsville, Alabama and Stephen Russell of Claxton, Tennessee both sons of Billy Russell. Additionally, she is survived by other nieces and nephews. She considered her friends family as well.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the American Diabetes Association.

The family will receive friends at Weaver Funeral Home in Knoxville, Tennessee on Sunday, April 24, 2016, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow, Jeremy Weekley officiating.

** Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at the Van Alstyne Church of Christ in Van Alstyne, Texas. There will be a visitation period from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Scoggins Funeral Home. Shannon Jackson, minister of the Van Alstyne Church of Christ, will officiate the funeral. Burial will follow the funeral in the Van Alstyne cemetery. **