James William Stephenson

James William Stephenson (Jimmie) was taken by the Lord on February 8, 2018, to a place of rest and out of his pain and suffering. Jimmie was a devoted husband, and a loving daddy and pa. Jimmie was born on June 8, 1929 to Lonnie and Leona Stephenson. He is predeceased by his parents, an infant son, a granddaughter "little" Amanda White, a sister Dorothy Adams, and a brother Ray Stephenson.

He is survived by his wife Mary of 65 years who was not only a wife, but a friend, companion, and a buddy. He is also survived by his daughters Ann White (husband Frank) of Clayton, and Stormy Stephenson of Garner. In addition, he is survived by two granddaughters, Christy and Brianna and a great grandson, Grayson. Special nieces and nephews whom he considered his own also survive him: Linda Langdon, Teresa Caudle, Rose Page, Ginger Hawley, Steve Bryant, and J.D. Bryant.

Jimmie was a Korean War Veteran. He was drafted in 1953 and served in the 101st Airborne Div. reaching the rank of Sergeant. He worked as a Driver License Examiner (1955-1973). In 1973, he was appointed OSHA Safety Inspector until his retirement in 1991. For the next 11 years, he worked as a consultant as an Agricultural Safety Inspector. Jimmie gave credit for his success in attaining his goals in life to his dad, a very dear friend "Doc Thurston", and his wife, Mary.

Jimmie was a Mason joining in 1951 and in the same year also became a 32nd Degree Scottish Rites Mason. He crossed the Hot Sands to become a Shriner in the Sudan Temple in 1965. He served the Masonic as Master in 1964. He was also the secretary and treasurer. In the Shrine Club, he was honored to be president in 2001. Jimmie served his community in many ways. He was a Boy Scout, reaching the rank of Life Scout. He was a member of Horne Memorial UMC and served as a trustee and youth leader. He was one of the organizers of the Clayton Rescue Squad and was one of the first Captains.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday February 11, 2018 at Horne Memorial United Methodist Church with the interment following at Maplewood Cemetery with Masonic and Military Rites. The family will receive friends on Saturday February 10, 2018 from 6:00 – 7:30pm at McLaurin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Amanda White Library c/o Horne Memorial UMC, PO Box 475, Clayton, NC 27528 or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 W Faris Rd, Greenville, SC 29605. Online condolences may be made to the Stephenson family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com. Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton.