Alfred H. Stephens

Alfred joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 16 and served from 1945 to 1947. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950, earning his pilot’s wings in 1951. During his 22 years of service, he earned many citations and awards including th3e Silver Star and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He also earned his Bachelor’s Degree, graduating from Mississippi Southern University.

After retirement, he began a career in real estate, becoming both an appraiser and investor. A life-long passion for collecting eventually led to a third career as owner of a successful antique business. Alfred’s interests were many and included painting, woodworking, gardening and singing. He was a valued associate and choir member of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Diamondhead, Mississippi. He regularly visited the local nursing home and sang for the residents and was known to “dance” with wheelchair bound ladies.

He had a gift for putting others at ease and readily made new friends. Alfred discovered painting with the encouragement of his wife, Bobbie, and rapidly became an accomplished portrait artist. He enjoyed creating elaborate wooden toys for visiting grandchildren.

Alfred is survived by his wife Bobbie Taylor Stephens and eight children: Louis Stephens, Linda Ford, Virginia (Lori) Huthoefer, Anna Li Stephens, Lisa Kaufmann, Marguerite Oestreicher, Peter Kaufmann, and William Kaufmann. He is also survived by his brother Richard Allen Stephens, as well as eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Sunnye G. Stephens; and his sisters Dorothy Louis Vines and Julia May Flowers.

Friends and family are welcome to attend the memorial service with full military honors at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5303 Diamondhead Circle in Diamondhead, Mississippi on Thursday January 3, 2019 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at St Peters Cemetery (Oxford Memorial Cemetery) at 16th Avenue and Jefferson Avenue in Oxford, Mississippi.

In his memory and to celebrate his love for music, his family welcomes contributions to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church music ministry.