Name: Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlors
Address: Birmingham, AL

To the Stephens Family, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Joes passing when I returned home from a business trip. I will always remember Joe for his kindness to all and his love and faith to a wonderful family, friends and our Lord.

Deepest sympathy to the family of Joe. It was such a shock. There are not enough adjectives to describe this godly, gentle man who touched so many with his presence and beautiful smile. I know with God's help his precious family will find the strength and comfort they need to get through the tough days ahead.  Sorry I could not attend the service, but please know the entire family has been in my prayers. Love, Nancy Wehby Smith

I was shocked to hear of Joe's passing!  What a wonderful man!  I am very sorry about your loss, Jenny (and family).  I will never forget the wonderful Caribbean Cruise we took about 6 years ago.  May God bless and console you now and always, Father Dean

Joe seemed to have a inner glow about him.Always positive,smiling and just a good man.I know his family,his church family and extended family will always cherish the great memories of Joe. May you always be in the light and May GOD and His Son Jesus with the Holy Spirit surround you with their love. Eternal peace and grace to you. We will miss you.   Kelly and Cricket Wehby

I want to extend my deepest sorrow in the loss of a very good and dear friend in Joe.  I know it is unberarable to any of us in this world that knew and loved him.  I know it is beyond comprehension what you are going through.  I will miss him, our Club will miss him, I know his Church will miss him beyond measure, and I know those dear to him will miss him, But... God will not miss him nor will He in eternity, for surely, if anyone is in Heaven, Joe is.  May God bless you and keep you in this most difficult time.

Gene Whitley, City Sales Club, Client and Customer, and most of all, friend forever.

He is be prayed for as a Brother Knight and will be remembered in "the good of the cause" at our meeting.  
GK on behalf of the Father James E. Coyle Council 9862 formely located at ETWN

A man who seemingly cared about everyone he met. Always reflecting decency and Godliness. A man who will be missed by more than he or his loving family could ever imagine. We will always smile when we remember Joe Stephens.

Gail and I were deeply saddened by the news of Joe's passing. I have many fond memories of Joe and will keep him and all his family in my prayers.

Joe was a very good man from a very fine family.  He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and parish. At the same time, the memory of Joe will be cherished by all who knew him.

To the family of Deacon Stephens,
Please accept my deepest sympathy to
each of you in the loss of your loved one.
He will be greatly missed by the
Birmingham Community.
Mass will be offered for him on Thursday, November 15, 2012.
In Saint Joseph,
Very Rev. Paul J. Oberg, S.S.J.
St. Joseph Manor
911 West Lake Ave.
Baltimore, MD   21201

Joe was a great man to me and my son Taylor . He always treated us fair and was such a good man to work for . I wish all my customers were as nice and as kind as he was . I will truely miss my friend 
Jack and Taylor Galbreath 
Galbreath Electric Co .

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

I will always remember Joe's service on several Cursillo weekends that I was associated with. As the Liturgist, Joe's voice was caring, calming and compassionate. He was clearly a man of God and faith. Prayers to Jenny and children on your loss.

Our deepest sympathies go out to all of Joes family.  He was a good man and will be missed.  You are in our prayers.

Deacon Joe - you will be greatly missed.
Michael, Stacie and Leanne Boackle

Joe was a wonderful man.  He had a glow about him, which was, I believe the light of his faith shining through. EVERYONE who met him loved him. My prayers are with his family left behind, because he surely is in heaven and in no need of our prayers.  Now reunited with his beloved parents he watches over those he loves.

Deacon Joe will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and experience his faith in the Lord. May he rest in peace with all the souls of the faithful departed.

With thoughts and prayers for your family.
Steve and Lynn Thompson

Joe Stephens was a treasure and a gift from God to all who knew him.  Whenever our family was around Joe there was such a sense of peace and serenity about him. He glowed! Jenny, Valerie and Joseph you are in our prayers.  Janice, Bub and all Joe's siblings you are also in our hearts and prayers at this most difficult time.  It was an honor and a privilege to count Joe as a part of our Adams family.  Thank you all for sharing him.  God Bless all of you.  We love you. 
Henry & Sharon

How could God resist Joe's smile.  There are greater plans for Joe.  Can't help but wonder what our God has for Joe to do for our great nation right now.  God needed Joe so quickly.  Please believe Joe will do a greater good for us through God.  Know our hearts are so saddened for your loss but rejoice for God's gain.
Margaret Swatek Harris

I've known of Joe and his brothers for many years. More recently I got to know Joe through the City Sales Club. He was a key member of the club. I'll miss him.

Joe Stephens was a treasure and a gift from God to all who knew him.  Whenever Henry and I were around Joe, there was such a sense of peace and serenity about him.  He glowed! Jenny, Joseph and Valerie you are in our prayers.  Janice, Bub and all Joe's siblings please know you are in our hearts and prayers at this difficult time.  It was an honor and privilege to know Joe and count him as a member of our family.  God Bless all of you.
Love,

Joe,.will be remembered as of kind of a man that the lord ever set on this land. He will be missed by many. His words always were with such a soft touch. The plumbing industry will miss Joe.

                                                                      Wrendon Davis
                                                                       BIRMINGHAM, AL.
.

This man of God is surely at the side of the Creator. Joe please pray for us. Robert & Josephine  Cahill

I am so sorry you all are having to go through this--my prayers are with all of you--strength will prevail--I will be at the funeral--Diane Ray

Dear Hixie and Karen, and the entire Stephens family--Words can not express our shock and sorrow in learning that Joe has joined His Lord so soon.  Rejoice in his life and gentle spirit and, over time, he will heal the holes in your hearts and souls.  For Joe-an Irish Blessing-
May the road rise to meet you/ May the wind be always at your back/ May the sun shine warm upon your face/May the rains fall soft upon your fields/And, until we meet again/ May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
All our love and prayers-Sandi (Dickson) and Dave Keen

Dear Lord, Grant that we may hold dear the memory of your faithful servant  Joe, May we never be bitter for what we have lost nor regret of the past but always in hope of the enternal kingdom where you will bring us together again.We ask this in Your name Jesus the Lord.  

Our prayers are with all of your family during your time of loss. May God grant you all the peace of knowing Joe is at home with our Lord.

Sincerely,
Patty and Michel Wehby

Deacon Joe was an constant on the altar at St. Elias. He always treated me with the utmost respect and kindness. He was a nice, faithful guy, and we will miss him!

It was my great privilege to know Joe Stephens for the last 11 years. I first met Joe in 2001 when he joined me as a member of the City Salesmen's Club. It was a pleasure to know him, to do business with him but most importantly to call him my friend. He was a fine Christian man and leaves a huge void. I will always remember his warm smile. To his family, you are in my prayers for the comfort and peace that only our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can provide.

My heart goes out to all of you as you mourn this tremendous loss. I wish there was something I could say that would give you some solace but i know it's not possible. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

My heart goes out to you. My children and I know how you feel. I knew Joe all my life and know he will be greatly missed. But most of all by you. God will help you.

To the Rev. Joseph Robert Stephens, Sr. family and your St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church family, my deepest sympathy upon learning of your sudden loss.May the love of your friends and family carry you through your grief and sorrow.

Joe was all that has been said of him in the obituary, and much more than that.  His sudden death to this world is a shock to us all, but we all know that he has gone to the next, and there is some comfort there.

To the extended loving family and church members of REV. JOSEPH ROBERT STEPHENS Sr., accept my deepest sympathy in your sudden loss. This picture says it all - the bright eyes, true smile and light surrounding him!Everyone will remember your great love story today and always. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort throughout the upcoming holidays.My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days, months and years ahead. May God bless you all and your family and church in this time of sorrow.
Love, Robin

To all of the Stephens Family...Ron and I will miss Joe so much.  He was such a dear freind and Godly man.  He always had that wonderful smile and warm way.  We will miss you our sweet friend!  Love Barbara(Lovoy) and Ron Naccari

May you rest in peace, with GOD our Father & Blessed Mother.
 Frances Tombrello Pharo

On behalf of the Melton Family, we extend our deepest sympathy to Joe and all of the Stephens family. As cousins of Robert Adams, we shared many happy times over the years with the Stephens family. We will always remember Joe for his smile, warmth and sincerity. He was truly a man who lived his faith. May we all have the same peace and spiritual blessing in our lives that Joe had in his.

God Bless you Joe and your family. Our prayers to all.

Ron, Liz, Maggie, and Nicholas Saad

Our prayers are with your family. Sam Ritchey, Terry Sharp & Cathy Ritchey Sharp

My Heart pours out to All of the Stephens Family in this time of sorrow and I'm so sorry for your loss.  May God bring you all some sort of peace with Joseph's passing, as I know how devasteted you all must be, he was such an inspirational man.  You are all in my constant Prayers.

To a great family, our prayers are with you may you find peace as Joe will be with OUR FATHER. Julie R. Miles, Salem Ritchey , Laurelle Miles and Family

Growing up with the Stephens family is a great memory!! Joe was a great big brother to all of us.May Our Lord give you all peace & comfort in this time of sadness! Cathy Accinno Blevins & the other Accinno sisters

Joe will be missed by so many people.  He was such a fine man and was always so kind and sincere.  We will keep your family in our prayers.

OBITUARY

Joseph Robert Stephens Sr.

April 26, 1950 – November 10, 2012

Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlors

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