Henrietta Blanchette Stephenson

Henrietta Stephenson, 78, of Bryan, passed away Thursday May 5, at St. Joseph Regional Health Center. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm Monday, May 9, at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Funeral service will be held at 11 am Tuesday, May 10 at First Baptist Church in Bryan. Interment will follow at Rest-Ever Memorial Park Cemetery.

Though she never held a college degree she was always a student – of life. She never stopped learning about the people she loved most and, she taught others her life's lessons. She was the definition of stay-at-home mom, even before the term was coined; always putting her family's needs first. Everyone wanted to be around her because of her noble character.

She was one of the first female drummers in her high school, and her love for music spread to her children and grandchildren. She taught 5th grade Sunday school with her husband and dear friends. She valued God more than anything. And He taught her how to love people. She was never afraid or ashamed of her faith and talked about it with anyone she'd meet. She used her talents of sewing, cooking, and art to bless others. She enjoyed giving chalk talks and used a variety of ways to bring color to paper or canvas. Her creativity was endless, even in her cooking, and she taught her family and friends through it. She was a woman of God and her family and friends are closer to God because of her influence.

She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Eddie R. Stephenson; parents; William Ira and Edna B. Choat Blanchette; sister Ira B. Osborne; brothers Harmon B. Blanchette and Richard L. Blanchette.

Survivors include her sons Dr. Ted and Jackie Sue Stephenson, Terry and Jeanie Stephenson, Bill and Debra Stephenson, and Phillip and Susie Stephenson; daughter Charlotte Stephenson; grandchildren, Jenna Grubbs and husband Kevin, Alicia and Katrina Stephenson, Natalie and Victoria Stephenson, Aynsley, Brent and Chase Stephenson, Heather and Alexandria Stephenson; greatgrandchildren, Colby, Kennedy and Carlee Grubbs and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Bryan music and missions programs.