Margaret Ellen Shelburne Stephenson

Margaret Ellen Shelburne was born on May 27, 1924, in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of James and Myra Shelburne and one of six children. Educated in Louisville, she attended nursing school after high school graduation. She met Billy Stephenson at a church service at Crescent Hill Baptist Church while Billy was a first semester seminary student. They began dating, fell in love, and were married on June 14, 1945. Margaret did not finish the nursing program at that time, but went back to school years later and obtained her LPN degree. She took some seminary classes while she and Billy lived on campus.

After Billy finished his Master of Divinity degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, they moved to Hartselle, Alabama, where they served the Bethel Baptist Church. It was while they were serving there that their first daughter, Beth was born. They then were called to the First Baptist Church of Centre, Alabama, and served for three years. Their second daughter, Becky was born while they were serving in Centre.

In 1953, Billy and Margaret were called to First Baptist Church of Decatur, Alabama. They served this great church for nearly thirty years, living in the pastorium next door to the church for twenty seven of those years. Their third daughter, Billie, was born while they were serving there.

During the years of ministry together at First Baptist Church, they served side by side- Margaret supporting her husband every step of the way. They saw the church grow not only in attendance, but in baptisms and expanded ministries, including multiple mission trips at home and abroad.

After retirement, Bro. Billy and Margaret continued to be very active in ministry, serving twenty-one churches as interim pastor.

Margaret faithfully took loving care of her husband when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease until his death in 2009. They were married for sixty-four years. In 2014, she moved to Birmingham to be closer to her daughter, Becky, and resided at The Oaks on Parkwood in Bessemer, Alabama.

On January 25, 2017, after a long illness, Margaret went to be with the Lord. She is survived by her sister Dottie Shelburne, her daughter Beth Singleton and husband Craig; her daughter Becky Akers and husband Merideth; her daughter Billie Payne and husband Scott, along with eight grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23

A Celebration of Life Service will be Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at 10:00am at First Baptist Church of Decatur with a time of visitation Monday, January 30, 2017, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at First Baptist Church of Decatur. Both will be held in the Stephenson Chapel. Dr. Scott Payne will be officiating the service. A private graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. To sign the guest registry, please go to www.roselawnfhandcemetery.com