Pastor Thomas Leonard Stephenson

Pastor Thomas L. Stephenson went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 9, 2016 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice House in Bolivia, NC at the age of 87. He was the full-time pastor of Unity Worship Center in Holden Beach, NC.

Pastor Stephenson is survived by his wife, Valera Stephenson, sisters Shirley (Jerry) Smith and Doris Griffis. He will be missed every day by his loving children Lewis (Hope) Stephenson, Randy (MaryLou) Stephenson, Brenda Stephenson Jones (Charles), Darryl (Tara) Stephenson and Kathy Wade. He leaves behind grandchildren, Tommy, Tim, Brian, Ryan, Justin, Tiffany, Kevin, Chad, and Blair, 7 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. He is also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Pastor Stephenson was born in Johnson County, son of the late James and Plassie Jones Stephenson. Five brothers, Willie, Shirrell Ray, George, James, and Wilbur, four sisters, Letha, Lucille, Linda, and Barbara and a grandson, Lee Stephenson, precede him in death.

Our dad lived a full life; he has left his mark on this world in many astonishing and wonderful ways. He was a man of faith and lived his life serving others. He had a passion for helping anyone less fortunate and tirelessly operated food banks for more than 25 years in Ashe and Brunswick Counties. His faith, generosity, and compassion touched many lives. He made us very proud to be his children and his legacy.

Funeral Service will be on Monday, December 12, 2016 at11:00 in the morning at the chapel of Hudson Funeral Home in Durham, NC . The family will have a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Durham, North Carolina.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that monetary donations in his honor be considered to the Gideon’s International P. O. Box 834 Shallotte, NC 28459 or the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane Bolivia, NC 28422.

Special thanks and much gratitude to the staff at the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, your kindness, and dignified care of our pastor, friend, husband, brother, uncle, and father made saying goodbye bearable.