Betty O'Neil Stephens

Betty O’Neil Stratton Stephens went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Betty was born in Jacksonville, FL on November 26, 1947 and was one of nine children. Her large family is perhaps where she learned to love big and love beautifully, and each person who knew her knew how much love Betty had to give. Her family was her whole world, and she poured her life into her husband and children. As her family grew, so too did her love; it was big enough to nurture and support 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. But her love didn’t stop at bloodlines; it was not uncommon for acquaintances to become family after spending a meal at Betty’s dinner table.

This dinner table also regularly sat her cousins, siblings, nieces, and nephews. In addition to being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Betty was also the matriarch of a large extended family, whom she regularly checked in on and hosted for family holidays. She loved spending time with all of them, especially if it involved camping, cooking, or fishing.

Betty is predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert C. Stephens; her parents, Albert and Evelyn Stratton, and seven out of her eight siblings.

Betty is survived by three children: Robert L. (Martha) Stephens, Timothy (Riegina) Stephens, and Lorie (Bucky) Williams; grandchildren/great-grands: Brawn (Laura) Williams [Warren, Cameron], Dustin (Rebecca) Williams [Dakota, Brenna, Bentley, Aislyn and Haileigh], Mark Williams [Paisley, Sawyer, Marcus and Logan], Joey (Taylor) Williams [Kenleigh, Maverick, Eleanor, Walker], Tabby (Joe) Cothern [Caleb], Jacob (Rachel) Stephens [Link, Atlas, River], Joshua Stephens, Brenna Stephens [Hank], Marissa (Jerry) Stephens, Slater (Tierra) Stephens [Geneva], Rebecca (Ramsey) Crosby [Codey], Kenny (Phalyn) Crosby [Sutton, Hadley and Ezra], Wesley (Hope) Crosby [Amora, Esiah], Mary (Andrew) Lombardo, Timothy R. W. Stephens; one sister, Susan Wallace, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her legacy is carried on in each of their lives.

A visitation for Betty will be held Friday, May 16, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hardage-Giddens Holly Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 3601 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg, FL 32068. A funeral service will occur Friday, May 16, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3601 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg, FL 32068. A committal service will occur Friday, May 16, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Oakland Cemetery, Oakland Dr, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.