Betty Ann Stephens

Our mom, Betty Ann Stephens, was born on January 2, 1941 in Shreveport, LA and passed away on July 31, 2022 at the age of 81. She had a wonderful life filled with lots of love and laughter. She had the sweetest smile that would light up a room with sunshine.

She was raised in Arkansas and Oklahoma, then moved to Phoenix, AZ. She was married in the summer of 1965 to husband, George Edward Stephens, and remained so for 37 years until his passing. There were three things most important to her without question: her husband, her family, and later her faith. She counted her pastor as an honest and true man who spoke the word of God boldly and truthfully. She loved her church family at Arcadia Gospel Fellowship, the Sunday school ladies, and all her friends who knew her there, and the ones she had made over the years wherever she went. She embraced her entire family with unequivocal love. She watched each of her daughters and son get married, her daughters walking on the arms of their dad to their new adventure in life.

She was industrious in all she did, no slacker was she! She had worked at Maroney’s Dry Cleaners, Camelback High School, the Arizona State Government Office for a time, and finally DeVry Institute of Technology before retiring full time to enjoy her hobbies: mostly sewing/embroidery/ crochet and she would spend hours putting together felt ornaments and stockings to give as gifts. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, but not the expense! She loved gift giving and sending cards to others. She loved seeing peoples’ eyes light up with joy when gifts were given. Prior to her retirement, her fondest memories were often of her husband who would surprise her with fresh cut flowers from their garden and placed in a vase on the kitchen table after a long day at work. She loved church potlucks, family get togethers, vacations, and was a die hard Golden Girls, Hallmark and Heartland show fan. She would watch shows while cuddling with her dogs, Fluffy and Mr. Snuggles. She was fond of old time country music, gospel hymns, her favorite being Amazing Grace and The Old Rugged Cross, singing in the church choir, and she learned to love cowboy poetry courtesy of a church friend. When the house had become an empty nest, she and her husband occasionally loved to go play the slots in Laughlin, NV. It was told many a nights too that they would dance together to their favorite slow music at home. Her husband, who played the guitar at times and sang to her, preceded her in death in February 2003.

She is survived by 7 children: Linda Thiel, Rebecca Stephens, Patti Thompson, Cherie Hovland, Ernie Stephens, Debbra McEntire, and Jennifer Baxley; 18 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Cliff Benson of Kingfisher, OK, and Steve Benson of Marietta, CA. A third brother preceded her in death, John Redmon. Her wedding anniversary was August 2, she made it in time to be reunited with Dad in heaven! Rest In Peace! Though it certainly aches, we’re letting you go, until we see one another again. You’re dearly loved, already missed, forever and always remembered! With Much Love, All Your Family and Friends.