Lila R. Stephenson

Born on May 20, 1921, in Fillmore, IL, to Lila Ruth and Imer Livingston. After high school, where she was valedictorian of her class, Lila moved to St. Louis to attend business school, and after graduation worked for an insurance company in St. Louis, where she met and married the love of her life, George Stephenson, who was serving in the U.S. Navy during the war.

While raising her five sons, she was a super mom (and sometimes referee), den mother, home room mother, mentor, and later a generous matriarch.

Lila enjoyed weekends at the family farm in Louisiana, MO, summers in Grand Haven, MI, and winters in Naples, FL. As a girl growing up during the Depression, she never dreamed she would travel the world and live the fabulous life she had, always grateful for her good fortune.

She was predeceased by George, her husband of 73 years, and two sons, George E., Jr. and Brian Jeffrey. Surviving are three sons, Thomas, James (Julie), John (Laurie), her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her caregiver Thoraiya "Terri" Sammak, and many friends.

Memorials are appreciated to the George E. Stephenson Jr. Memorial Fund at the University of Missouri - Columbia, 302 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211-2100. Interment will be private.