Myrtle M. Stephens

Myrtle Marion Martin Stephens, affectionately known as "Peaches", "Sunshine" and "Arizona Mama", was born in Rayne, Louisiana on July 3, 1931. She was preceded in death by both her parents, Emma Chatman and Julius Martin.

Myrtle attended Acadia Parish School (1-11 grades; no 12th grade) at the age of six. Parish was a segregated school where she enjoyed everything about it, especially the subjects of English and Math -teachers included! Myrtle took great pride in her perfect attendance, four years in a row (from 8th to 11th grade) and receiving a certificate at graduation. She described her upbringing as strict, but loving. Myrtle was raised by her maternal Great Aunt, whom she called "NaNan", but whose name was Lillie. Lillian never had any children of her own. She added that her Aunt Lillie was also very kind, compassionate and spiritual. Myrtle was baptized at an early age and carried on the love and conviction of being deeply involved in her family, the church, community and praising God's Name throughout her life.

Not long after moving to San Francisco, California, Myrtle attended City College of San Francisco. She met and soon married the love of her life, Jesse Lee Stephens, Jr., a career military man on July 8, 1950. She was 19 and he was 20. Together they had six children: Steven DeWayne (deceased), Brian Elliott, Stuart Donnelly, Dawn Adrienne, Edwin Keith and Vernon Lee. During her husband's military career, Myrtle balanced her life by becoming deeply involved with her children's school and church activities: PTA meetings, Co-Leader for daughter's Brownies Den and volunteer helper with the Girl Scouts Troop, Cub Scouts Den Leader and volunteer helper with sons' Boy Scouts Troops, Sunday School Teacher, Choir member and many other church positions. As a military wife, Myrtle was involved in varying capacities with the military wives organization, also known as the NCO Wives Club (Non Commisioned Officers).

Throughout her husband's 23 year military career, Myrtle and their family moved often and lived on several bases, including France, California, Nevada, Ohio, and Delaware. Myrtle lived in El Paso, Texas with their six young children while her husband was stationed in Ankara, Turkey for 18 months. It was here where the four oldest children were baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church, Reverend Howard Humphrey, presiding Pastor.

In 1969, Myrtle's husband, Jesse, retired from the United States Air Force. They bought their first home in San Francisco, California where their oldest child, Steve DeWayne was born. Myrtle immediately found a church home with Good Hope Baptist Church, Reverend Dr. Rance Whiteside III, Pastor and Founder. She and her children all joined and the last two of her six children were baptized there. Myrtle continued to effectively balance her home and church life by taking on a part-time job as a sales representative at Emporium Capwell Department Store in the Women's World section located in downtown San Francisco. Myrtle would deservedly become the Women's World Department Employee for the months of April 1985 and May 1986. In 1994 she retired after 22 years in retail.

Myrtle travelled many difficult roads throughout her life. But through the genuine love and support from her own family, her church family and many longtime friends, Myrtle became a breast cancer survivor in May 1995. Then in June 1997, Myrtle was hit by a car, severely injured and incapacitated for two years. After living in San Francisco for 31 years, the continuation of her recovery brought Myrtle and her husband, Jesse, to Phoenix, Arizona in October 2000. Once again Myrtle immediately established a church home, this time with Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop Alexis Thomas. Myrtle was a long-standing and faithful member at Pilgrim Rest. She became a church volunteer with "new memberships" and part of a senior citizens church organization. Myrtle was affectionately called "Mother" by the large church congregation. She was a role model, confidante, and inspiration to many of the young women in the church.

Myrtle went to sleep peacefully at home and died on August 3, 2021. She will be sorely missed for all wonderful and genuine qualities that she possessed: as a good listener, for her generosity, as a spiritual woman who emphasized to others the need to be non-judgmental by looking at both sides of a situation before coming to a conclusion, for being open-minded and flexible and above all, for finally coming into her own where she was able to speak her mind with her heart through words that needed to be said instead of remaining silent. Myrtle was a wonderful wife, a one-of-a-kind mother, an exceptional friend and godly woman who did everything she was sent into this life to do - to make an impacting difference and to leave an indelible mark in the lives of others by treating the way you would want to be treated.

Myrtle leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband of 71 years, Jesse (Steve) Lee Stephens, Jr.; daughter, Dawn Walker Hatchett (Jerrold); son, Vernon, all of Phoenix, AZ; sons Brian Stephens (Linda); Stuart Stephens (Linda); Edwin Stephens; grandsons, Lamar Harris Walker (Rachel) and Jordan Moore, all of California; grandson, Jason Moore (Jackie), of Tucson, AZ; and her heart- great grandchildren; Omar and Lamont (Lamar and Rachel); Chase, Kaede, Kai and Cora (Jason and Jackie); and Jordyn (Jordan). Myrtle also leaves behind her best friend, Christine Fleming; her "Sunshine" daughter, Dorothy Avery; and her "not to play favorite" niece, Monica Granger; along with a host of many other endearing nieces, nephews, cousins and treasured friendships too numerous to list.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents, Emma Chatman and Julius Martin; brother Marshall Granger; sisters, Margery N. Owens and Barbara Yokum Chatman; and eldest son, Steve DeWayne Stephens.