Shirley Lynne Stephens passed from this world to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, September 16 at the age of 85. She was an avid softball and tennis player in her younger years, and a writer, editor and teacher. She loved serving her church, traveling, visiting with friends and family, and engaging with the community through teaching and mission trips.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, William H. Stephens (Bill), whom she loved dearly. Survivors also include her four children, Laura Stephens, Paula Stephens (Joe Baker), Greg Stephens and Carol Stephens. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Hedges (John), four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Shirley was born March 11, 1934 in Glendale, Arizona and attended school there from the first grade to graduation from high school, where she was an exceptional student and athlete. Upon graduation, she was an office worker for Western Truck Lines until she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at age 19, and then enrolled at Grand Canyon College (now University), at that time the college of the Baptist Convention of Arizona. She majored in English and secondary education and graduated magna cum laude in 1958.
It was during her college years that she met, dated, and married William H. Stephens during their senior year on November 24, 1957. They graduated together in 1958 and went to Fort Worth, Texas where Bill enrolled in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Due to starting a family and financial realities, finishing seminary required several years. During that time, Shirley wrestled with God's will for her life and, due to a dramatic experience with God, she decided to enter the School of Theology. Due to the culture of that day, she was the only woman enrolled in that school. She was an exceptional student, making all A's except for one B in Hebrew. She received her M.Div. degree in 1967.
Shirley and Bill both felt called to be writers. After Bill was employed by the Baptist Sunday School Board, Open Windows afforded Shirley her first writing assignment. She subsequently wrote innumerable articles and Bible study materials. Due to her seminary degree, she also served as interim editor of numerous publications, and was the first woman in BSSB history to edit adult Bible study materials.
Shirley also wrote eleven books. The one she was most proud of was A New Testament View of Women, published by Broadman Press in 1980. Broadman also published two other of her books: Under the SS Shadow and Breaking Crime's Vicious Cycle (later published by a prison ministry as From the Cell to the Cross). She is also the well-known "as told-to" author of My Daughter Susan Smith. Other books are the Conversation series: Jesus' Conversations with the Pharisees, Jesus' Conversations with Men, Jesus' Conversations with Women, Jesus' Conversations with John, and Jesus' Conversations with Paul.
Shirley and Bill traveled a great deal, spending time in some forty different countries, mostly connected with Bill's work as editor of Biblical Illustrator and the writing projects of both of them. Shirley and Bill supported each other in their writing projects, having dedicated their lives to being as true as they could be to God's call to ministry. They were true soul mates whose life goals were very much in sync.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19th and from 9:30 to 10: 30 a.m. Saturday, September 20th, followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. at Crievewood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, with a graveside service at 12:30 at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Memorial Park.
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