Mildred Ritchey Stephens

Stephens, Mildred Ritchey, age 92, passed away January 10, 2019 surrounded by her children and their spouses after a short illness. She is survived by her sons and daughters, Ferris W. Stephens II (Tamra), Margaret Anderton (Michael), Theresa DiChiara (Butch), Mark W. Stephens (Kimberly), Mary Pugh (Wesley), Anita Baroody (Christopher), her brother Albert Ritchey (Mary Grace), sisters Elizabeth Boackle (Johnny) and Lorene George, brother-in-law Tullie Hollis, sisters-in-law Elaine Ritchey and Elizabeth Ritchey, 21 precious grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews, and good friends whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 50 years, Dr. William J. “Bill” Stephens, brothers Sam Ritchey (Edna), Phillip Ritchey (Kitty), George Ritchey (Dot), Joseph Ritchey, James Ritchey, Ferris Ritchey (Wilma), sisters, Gladys Ritchey, Agnes Ritchey, Betty Hollis She was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church for 65 years, serving in a number of capacities, including being a longtime member of the Altar Sodality (St. Ann’s Guild) and founder of the Children of Mary. She was also an active member of the Cedars Club. Mildred was committed in using her time for years to help with fundraisers for a number of churches and charitable organizations including the Alabama Kidney Foundation.

Mildred was reared in Woodlawn by her parents, Ferris and Annie Ritchey, and was one of 13 children. She graduated from Woodlawn High School and worked in her family’s grocery store alongside her brothers and sisters before marrying Dr. Bill Stephens.

Mildred was devoted to her family, which included so very many. We will all miss her many birthday and anniversary phone calls. She loved to cook for others and teach them her secrets. It was truly her love language - Lebanese food and desserts were her forte. She was a 'behind the scenes' fundraiser for a number of events for several parishes. Mildred enjoyed selling tickets to raise money for charities, and boy was she good at it! The most important of all was her devotion to her Lord and His Most Holy Mother. Jesus was her focus, and she lived her whole life to finally be with Him. Mildred’s love and example is her greatest legacy.

Mildred was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were an active part of her life and thoughts, Claire Stephens, William Stephens, Amara Stephens, Damien Stephens, Catherine Sapp (Nathan) Rachel Anderton, Paul Anderton, Pete DiChiara, Veronica DiChiara, Rebecca DiChiara, Ann Marie Stephens, Elizabeth Stephens, Theresa Stephens, Mary Catherine Stephens, Sarah Stephens, Jacob Pugh, Amelia Pugh, Abigail Pugh, Anthony Baroody, and Marie Baroody; and three great-grandchildren Thomas Sapp, Callie Sapp and Lacey Sapp.

Visitation will be Monday, January 14 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1728 Oxmoor Road, Homewood from 4:00- 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Sorrows on Tuesday, January 15 at 9:30 a.m. The family invites everyone to join them for a Mercy Meal at the church following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile AL 36604; the Dominican Monastery of St. Jude, P.O. Box 170, Marbury AL 36051; Our Lady of Sorrows Building Fund, 128 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood, AL 35209; or the Alabama Kidney Foundation, Townhouse 2012, University Blvd. #164, Birmingham Al 35233. Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood directing.