Barbara Stephens

STEPHENS, Barbara Gullick. Barbara Stephens, age 68 of Atlanta, passed away on November 19, 2011. Born Barbara Stuart Dickson on March 4, 1943 in Aberdeen, Mississippi to the late Lt. Jim Bell Dickson and Bobbie Lou Cooper Gullick, she is survived by husband Richard, daughter Stacey, son Richy and his wife Samantha, and seven grandsons, Alex, Marshall and Wilson Massey and Joshua, Davis, Taylor and Jackson Stephens all of Marietta, Ga. Barbara grew up in East Point, Ga and was crowned “Miss Flame” in 1960. She graduated Valedictorian from Headland High School in 1961, where she was President of the National Honor Society, V.P. Student Council, President of Inter Club Council, Feature Editor of the Tam-O-Shanter, Miss Headland in 1960-1961, Secretary Library Staff, Secretary-Treasurer Interclub Council, Four Year Honor Role, and was voted most Outstanding Senior. Barbara attended the University of Georgia majoring in English. At UGA, she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Zodiac as was she a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and was named one of the top 10 Greek women, awarded the sororities most active senior award and executive of Angel Flight. Barbara graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and her hard work definitely paid off as she was named the Class of 1965 Valedictorian. Upon graduation, she was a student teacher at the University in English and also taught at Lakeshore High School for a few years in College Park. In 1965, Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Richard Stephens and later had two children, Stacey and Richy. She spent a lot of time in the North Georgia Mountains at Lakes Rabun and Burton, taking her children fishing, skiing, antiquing and site seeing when they were young. Barbara also enjoyed spending time with friends and family in Sea Island, GA and Ennis, MT throughout the years. Barbara had numerous hobbies and life pleasures which included collecting antiques and quilts, reading, writing poetry, Christian music and books, bible study, her church, gardening, interior decorating, traveling, spending time with and loving her family. She had an amazing gift for writing, singing and performing her own music and taught herself how to play the guitar. She adored her basset hound babies, especially “Bessie” who was appropriately named for saving best for last! Barbara was a member at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church and actively involved in her Bible Study group affectionately called “The Grapenuts,” for over 20 years, which brought tremendous joy to her life. Barbara was the sweetest, dearest friend, devoted wife and loving, compassionate mother and grandmother. She had the most beautiful blue eyes you have ever seen. Barbara was an inspiration to all of those that she touched. She was a giver and always did what she could in order to make someone else’s life a little brighter. Long ago, Barbara verbalized that her motto could be illustrated by the following, “Give to the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you.” Truly, she lived each and every day of her life with this in mind, but most meaningful to her was being of service in God’s Kingdom. Barbara will be deeply missed yet we find comfort knowing she is peacefully home with the Lord.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:00am at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, Ga. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, HELP Fund, 3180 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305.