Mattie Ruth Stephens

Mattie "Ruth" Stephens passed into eternal life on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at the young age of 94 years, 11 months and 3 days. Born on September 28,1926 to Robert Allen and Clara Mattie Cole Jones. She was the seventh of eight children. The family called her "Babe" since she was the baby of the family for many years before her younger brother was born. Babe grew up in Hutchins, Texas and graduated from Wilmer- Hutchins High School in 1944. She married Odis Martin Stephens March 27,1948 and they moved to Pleasant Grove, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. They lived there and raised a family for the rest of their married life.

Ruth served her savior all her life by serving people in need. She was very active in her church, Bartimaeus Baptist Temple (ministering to the disabled) for over 50 years. She was Secretary of the church for over 40 years and headed the churches branch of the North Texas Food Bank for 20 plus years. Ruth worked at Texas Instruments for over 30 years and retired with the plan of being able to spend more time helping others.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Odis Martin Stephens, all seven of her siblings, Frank Jones, William "Bill" Jones, Ruby Carroll, Edgar Jones, Cecil Jones, Mary Ellen Kain, and Paul Jones and all of their spouses. Both her grandson Timothy Wayne Kilgore, and her great grandsons David Wayne Kilgore and Brandon Prestriedge also preceded her in death.

Ruth is survived by her son Gary Paul Stephens (Mary), and her daughter Cathy Prestriedge (Benny), her grandson Gary Patrick Stephens (Rebecca), granddaughter Christy Chester (Cleon), granddaughter Amber Preston (Brian), granddaughter Lisa Massey (David) and grandson Andrew P Prestriedge (Chrissa). She is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews from both sides of the family.

The family request in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to her church, Bartimaeus Baptist Temple at 6929 Day St., Dallas, Texas 75227 or to the charity of your choice. May God bless each of you.