Col. (Ret.) Rome O. "Coach" Stephens

COL (Ret.) Rome O. “Coach” Stephens, age 89, passed away on August 27, 2011. Funeral services will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus, GA on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM. Entombment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery, Chapel of the Pines. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

Colonel Stephens was born on May 15, 1922 to the late R.O. Stephens and Fannie Whittington Stephens in Ben Hill County, GA. He was a decorated 82nd Airborne WWII and Vietnam veteran, retiring after 34 years of service. Col. Stephens was a member of St. Peter United Methodist Church. He was a past Mason and Shriner as well as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Columbus where he was a Past Governor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Stephens and his two sons, Ernie Stephens and Richard N. Stephens.

Survivors include his daughter, Rose Riddle of Gainesville, GA; eight grandchildren, Rev. Dr. John Stephens (Stephanie) of St. Simons, GA, Rev. Matt Stephens (Kristi) of Vienna, GA, Clay Stephens of Marietta, GA, Dave Stephens of St. Charles, IL, Stephen Riddle (Jenny) of Birmingham, AL, Chris Riddle (Michelle) of Atlanta, GA, Chance Stephens of Columbus, GA and Trent Stephens of Columbus, GA; six great-grandchildren, Sarah Stephens, Maddie Stephens, Sam Stephens, Russ Stephens, Samantha Stephens and Natalie Stephens; several nieces and nephews also survive.