Jayne Harris Stephenson

Jayne Harris Stephenson, born Bonnie Jayne Harris 3/19/1938, passed away on 10/28/2024. Jayne grew up in Atlanta, GA and graduated from Georgia State University. She was an excellent student and was listed Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities for English. After college Jayne worked for Delta Airlines then went on to teach high school English.

Jayne's passion for horse started as a young child, she would say one of her first words was "Horse". She always felt blessed to be able to have a career that followed her passion. In 1968 Jayne married the love of her life, her mentor and best friend Temple Leon Stephenson and started Stephenson stables at Ward Mead Farm on Paper Mill Rd in Marietta, GA. There they trained and bred American Saddlebred Horses; in 1988 they moved to the current location in Woodstock, GA. Jayne trained and developed many young horses and riders, some that went on to be World Champions. Her two all-time favorites, The Only Game In Town, aka Alfie and The Star Fighter aka Ready were frequent winners in the Five gaited Stakes on the southern horse show circuit.

Jayne was creative, innovative and an avid reader. Following her passion for horses of all breeds she traveled to Iceland to ride the Icelandic Ponies and to Ireland to ride the countryside.

Jayne was a founding member of The United Professional Horsemen's Association Chapter 17, The American Saddlebred Horse Association of Georgia as well as the Southeastern Charity and Pro-Am Charity horse shows. Jayne was inducted into the Southeastern Charity Horse Show Hall of Fame in 2021.

Jayne is survived by her Cousins: Cynthia(Cindy) Lee Crump and John Kevin Crump, Great Nieces and Nephew, Laura Jackson, JJ Jackson and Sadie Jackson, Stepsons: Randy David Stephenson, Terry Leon Stephenson and Cousin Tommy Harris.

A Memorial service for close Family and Friends will be held at the farm on a later date.