Johnny Edward Stephens, 81, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born September 23, 1933 in Wayne OK, the son of Claude and Lela Gentry Stephens. He was the longtime owner of Mr. Janitor Janitorial Service and also operated a service station for many years. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1960 and attended the Kingdom Hall on Monument Drive in Tupelo. He enjoyed playing golf, listening to country music and antique cars.
Services will be 2:30 pm Saturday at the Lee Memorial Funeral Home with Bro. Beonis Ellis officiating. Danny Patterson will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha Jean Ellis Stephens of Tupelo; four children, Melissa Cheryl Capps (Lee) and Diane Curtiss, all of Tupelo, Mark Edward Stephens (Anita) of Shannon and John David Stephens (Lynn) of Tupelo; his brother, Lloyd Stephens (Nora) of Mt. View, AR; 4 sisters, Pauline Fleming, Florence Robinson, Faye Hopkins (Bud), and Sandra Voyles (Coye), all of Baldwyn; 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Dorothy Kerr, and 3 brothers, Earl, Freddie and Nelson Stephens.
Pallbearers will be his nephews, Jerry Fleming, Don Fleming, Ricky Fleming, Tony Stephens, Rodney Voyles, and Darrel Hopkins.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the World Wide Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses at www.jw.org.
