Cecil Leonard Stephenson

Cecil Leonard Stephenson, 100, died peacefully at the Levine Dickson Hospice House at Southminster on June 2, 2016. He lived the past thirteen years with his son John in Charlotte. Cecil was born June 26, 1915 in Mamers, NC to the late Joseph Franklin and Alma Mae McLean Stephenson. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years Gertrude Darroch Stephenson, three brothers Lee, Leslie and Gilbert and three sisters Mildred, Geraldine and Bettyrene.

Cecil was a farmer in Mamers growing tobacco and cotton until 1947, when he and his family left the country for Greensboro, NC where he lived for 56 years. He was employed by J. D. Wilkins Company until he retired in 1982 after 35 years. He loved working with his hands and was a talented artisan known for his ability and strength. While at the Wilkins Company, he mastered working with architectural metal especially brass and wrought iron. He was an artistic and creative craftsman. He also designed and built an addition to his house, added a garage and built three decks. To his loving children, there wasn’t anything their dad couldn’t do.

Although he came to enjoy golf late in life, baseball was his favorite sport, having grown up watching his dad, a talented pitcher, play the game. However, he was never more at peace than when working in his yard and vegetable garden.

Having to leave school in the seventh grade because of the need to help work the family farm, he was so proud of providing each of his children with a college education.

Cecil is survived by three children: Joseph Cecil (Susan), John Leonard, and Mary Sue Elam (Bill). He is also survived by 6 grandchildren Connie Finkelstein (Karl), Carrie Kingston (Jon), William Elam (Courtney), Alexis Ewing (Jay), Eric Stephenson (Rosie), and Britt Stephenson. Cecil was blessed to also have five great grandchildren, Kate and Lizzie Finkelstein, Grant and Catherine Elam, and Michael Stephenson. In addition, Cecil is survived by two sisters-in-law, Pat and Janice.

Mr. Stephenson’s funeral will be held at Hinshaw United Methodist Church in Greensboro on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by the Reverend Thomas Jolley with burial to follow at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will visit with friends at Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel following the interment.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Levine Dickson Hospice House at Southminster, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 or Hinshaw United Methodist Church, 4501 West Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Hospice House and Emily, Todd, and Rev. Don Thacker for their kindness and loving care of their father.