Shelly Renee Stephens

Beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend

Shelly Renee Stephens was a woman whose kindness, caring spirit, and quiet strength touched everyone she met. She had eyes that drew you in and a smile that could make you fall in love with her. Her charm was effortless—she had a way of knowing just what needed to be done, and somehow, she’d convince you to help her do it, always with love.

She was an advocate, a fighter, and a deeply compassionate soul. Even in pain, even in anger, she never lost her ability to love. She wasn’t self-absorbed—she was simply human, full of feeling, full of grace. Even in her hardest moments, Shelly never made it about herself. She carried her pain with grace and never let it overshadow her love for others.

And though she wrestled with God, Di knows she’s in heaven now.

Shelly was the daughter of Kay Elizabeth Finley, who passed before her, and Riley Finley, her devoted stepfather who remains with us. She is survived by her wife, Di Bishop, and their daughter, Elizabeth Grace, along with her niece Emmerson. Her family includes her sister Taffy Damron and husband Danny; her nephew Brandon Damron and his wife Brittany Damron; her great-nephew Perrin; her sister Kasey Hooks, her partner John Rowe, and her nephew Micha; her half-sister Kandi Rohlfs and husband Tyson; her Aunt Kelly, husband Eric, and their daughter Kim; and her Aunt Robbie Cuyler and husband Ed.

Everybody loved her.

There are so many favorite moments—hearing our song for the first time when Troy played it, the magic of Candyland where the Hearnes and the Clop live, the bar where we met and I became the hug dealer, the singer-songwriters who became friends, and most of all, the small town of Murphy, NC, where we found our tribe. I call them angels, the ones who brought her to me. I’m beyond grateful to all of you.

I was the light in her life, and she loved me soooo much. And I loved her—I took care of her through her pain and suffering. We had our faults, but we always kissed each other goodnight. I’m going to miss my Kallisee.