Geraldine Gooden Stephens

Geraldine Gooden Stephens, 80, of Charlotte, NC passed away to be with our Heavenly Father surrounded by love on April 26, 2025. Her warm spirit, radiant smile and infectious laugh will be remembered by all who knew her from her childhood through her last days with us.

Born on April 6, 1945 in Marrietta, GA, she was the daughter of Irma Lenora English Gooden (age 104) and the late Melvin Carson Gooden. Geraldine was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and loyal friend to many. She was lovingly called “Beah” by her family.

She enjoyed playing golf and tennis with family and friends as a Charter Member of Providence Country Club. She was an avid Carolina Panthers fan and PSL owner since the Inaugural Season. One of her greatest joys was being the loudest sideline fan at sporting events, especially her grandchildren’s. Geraldine always put others first and made everyone in her presence feel welcomed and valued, so much so that every grandchild thinks they were her #1.

When her children were young, Geraldine spent all of her time caring, nurturing, carpooling, volunteering and catering for them and many friends. As they say, she was the perfect mom for them. In later years, she worked in retail sales and at the Southern Christmas Show. Between golf and tennis matches, she traveled extensively with her husband helping to plan corporate events all over the country and is remembered for making the room light up with just her smile.

She is survived by her mother, as well as her loving husband of 64 years, Howard “Sonny” Stephens; her children Gwen Hoefle (Steve) and David Stephens (Kim); her grandchildren Jerome Singleton (Ashley), Megan Stephens (Erin), Patrick Singleton (Kellie Howell), Tyler Hoefle, Caleb Stephens, seven great-grandchildren, her sister Juanita Girardeau and her brother Ronnie Gooden and many nieces and nephews.

The family is deeply grateful for the kindness, care and compassion provided by the entire staff of Brookdale Carriage Club Memory Care and the Via Health Hospice Care team which made the past year and final days peaceful and comforting.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Parkinson’s Foundation Parkinson.org and Via Health Hospice Care viahp.org.

Geraldine made her faith known through all the love she shared. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2pm at McEwen Funeral Home – Pineville Chapel located at 10500 Park Road in Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:45 pm prior to the celebration service.