Gabriel Handsome Montgomery Stephens

Gabriel Montgomery Stephens, known as “Little G” to his parents, passed away on February 4, 2012. Born January 2, 2006, Gabriel was a home-based kindergarten student of Endhaven Elementary in Charlotte. A handsome boy with deep, beautiful blue eyes, angelic blonde hair, and an Elvis-like grin, Gabriel had a gentle disposition and a magnetic personality. He enjoyed snuggling, listening to soft music, bouncing on the trampoline, taking long walks on the greenway and roughhousing with his daddy. Gabriel developed a deep and joyful laugh, and his parents fondly recall his first laugh in the spring of 2007. His other milestones and accomplishments include activating computer animation in January of 2009 and his first augmented toy later that spring. His first independently directed footsteps in a Gait Trainer were taken in October, 2011. His perseverance, trusting soul and loving heart were trademarks of his personality, as were his mischievous giggle and all-encompassing smile.

Gabriel is survived by his loving parents, Glen Howard Stephens and Emily Goetcheus Stephens; maternal grandparents Vernon Montgomery and Ann Burton Goetcheus; paternal grandparents William Asbury and Elizabeth Jane Stephens; an aunt, Victoria (Kenneth) Wolf; uncles William (Jill) Stephens II and Michael Stephens; and cousins Joseph and Anna Wolf and Angelina and Faith Stephens.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 7th from 6 to 8 pm in the Rea Room at Calvary Church, 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, North Carolina. Calvary Church will also hold a worship service for Gabriel on Wednesday, February 8 at 2 pm, with a graveside service immediately following at Magnolia Memorial Gardens on the grounds of Calvary Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following organizations in honor of Gabriel Montgomery Stephens: Joni & Friends, Charlotte Regional Office (Family Retreat Scholarship fund), 616 A Matthews-Mint Hill Rd., Matthews, NC 28105, 704-841-1177; Make A Wish – Greater Charlotte, 212 S. Tryon St., Suite 1080, Charlotte, NC 28281, 704-339-0335; Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids, PO Box 37192, Charlotte, NC 28237, 704-564-1996; Children’s National Medical Center (Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome Research), 111 Michigan Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20010.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, Charlotte, NC.