Elaine Margaret Stephenson

Elaine Wilkin Stephenson, passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2025. A graveside service will be held Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Roselawn cemetery.

Elaine was born July 9, 1936, in New Castle, Pennsylvania to the late Warren Jordon and Sarah Rosanna Snyder Wilkin. Her family owned the local mercantile and she and her siblings took turns helping run the store. Upon high school graduation, she headed to Washington DC to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was at the FBI where she met "Steve" (Alwin R Stephenson). She and Steve married and had a double wedding with her identical twin sister, Eleu (Sam) on April 6, 1957.

The couple moved back to Decatur, AL in 1959 and were active members of Central Baptist Church. After 18 years of marriage in 1976, Alwin died from multiple myeloma at the early age of 40. With four children at home, the Lord equipped Elaine to be a hard working, Christ loving, selfless mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She continued to be devoted to her church family while serving in the areas of choir, library duties, and playing the piano. Elaine began working for the Decatur City School System where she retired after 20 years of service and also worked at Castner Knott to make sure her family had all they needed. Elaine shared with her family that it was God who had allowed her to be strong and faithful and be able to endure the loss of her husband while raising their four children. Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Elaine was full of warmth, joy and kindness and she never met a stranger. She loved talking with people, making ceramics, and she loved sports, especially watching the Atlanta Braves on TV. She spent the last few years at Riverside where she loved her table mates and the incredible aids and employees there. It had truly become her"home" and she was looking forward to getting back there to see everyone when she left Rehab in Moulton. However, God had a different plan. Now Elaine is truly "home!" We praise the Lord for that happy assurance!

Preceding Elaine in death was sister Nancy L. Kyle, brothers Warren Wilkin Jr., Todd Wilkin, and twin sister Eleu Hawthorne.

Elaine is survived by her daughter, Becky Higdon (Dale), son Randy Stephenson (Sandy), son Greg Stephenson (Renee), and daughter Amy Duke (Patrick); grandchildren, Kristi Eleazer, Kayla Holloway (Jeremy), David Stephenson, Ingram Stephenson, Madeline Stephenson, Annalyn Duke, Trip Duke; 8 great-grandchildren; and a sister Paige A. Deangio of Mercer, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request any donations to go to the Central Baptist Church of Decatur Building Fund, 2801 Hwy 31 South, Decatur, AL. 35603, or at www.cbcdecatur.org.