Beverly Sue Stephens

Obituary For Beverly Sue Stephens

Beverly Sue (Denton) Stephens, 84 of Saint Jo, TX, went to be with the Lord on August 15th, 2023 while at her home.

Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 18th, at the Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie, TX, with Jon Page and Andrew Schwarz officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenbriar Cemetery in Nocona, TX.

Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 17th, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.

Beverly Sue was born on October 2, 1938, to C. C. “Lee” and Cleta (Deering) Denton on a farm near Bowie, Texas. She was raised on the same farm her older siblings were born and raised on. Beverly was the youngest of four siblings, two sisters and a brother. Although Carrie, Nita and James were some years ahead they always doted on their baby sister even when they were ahead in advanced years.

When Beverly was nine years old her father passed leaving her and her mother alone on the farm. Cleta moved to Bowie where she took on a job with the phone company. Beverly attended Junior High and Senior High School in Bowie. She enjoyed the outdoors, wildlife, reading and friendship. Even more at that young age she was a devoted disciple of Christ. A trait that she never wavered on. After graduating she met J.C. Stephens of Saint Jo through a High School friend. J.C. also enjoyed the outdoors, the company of friends, was never afraid of anything mechanical and his mom made him go to church. After dating some time, they were married on June 17, 1957. They had two sons, Charles and Michael. Of course, Beverly and J.C. were so proud. Beverly stopped at nothing to show the very unconditional love and grace she felt God had demonstrated to her. Her boys hung the moon “so she thought” and as any mom would, looked pasted their transgressions and concentrated on the good. Charles married Shirley Herzog with two girls, Stacy and Terri, who J.C. and Beverly adored. Between Terri having two sons, Cameron and Liam and Stacy having three children, Samuella, Sadie and Seth they were later blessed with seven great-great-grandchildren. Michael married Laurie with a son Rusty and daughter Shannon and together they had a son Michael David. Family photos were never lacking for participants. J.C. and Beverly were very proud to have a large family to share with.

Beverly was a conscientious, dedicated worker. After J.C. moved the family to Ft Worth to start work at Bell Helicopter and the boys were old enough for kindergarten, she entered the workforce. After working for five years at ABrandt Furniture in accounting she was encouraged by her sister to apply at Mobil Oil Company. She applied for and got a job in the Marketing Department and went on to a lengthy career for thirty-three years.

Everything Beverly did she did it with honesty, integrity and fortitude. She earned her private pilots license and loved that so much she joined a women’s pilot organization inspired by Emelia Earhart called the 99’s. She flew out with the club on many of their outreach activities. Repainting runways, compass rows and helping teach flying safety seminars. JC and Beverly were also active members and pilots in the Commerative Air Force. Beverly eventually became the 99’s DFW Chapter President and served for many years. She served as a committee chairperson as recently as two years ago although it had been ten years since she had last piloted her airplane.

Beverly had such a strong faith. The boys realized that early on as she dragged them to church when they would rather stay at home and play. Her commitment even led J.C. back to discipleship. Upon their retirement and after living in Ft Worth most of their life J.C and Beverly decided to slow down and move back to Saint Jo. A chance to reestablish with old friends and make new ones. They enjoyed attending church in Bowie and participating in many functions helping with outreach ministries and meeting new friends. After J.C. passed a few months ago, the boys worried about mom being alone on that hill but Beverly wouldn’t have it any other way. She enjoyed her home, the environment, the six stray cats, numerous foxes, deer and raccoons that had to be fed regularly. Beverly endured covid again recently, telling the boys “To stay away, I will be okay, you be safe”. The Lord called Beverly home in an instant, leaving behind a true legacy of Christian love and discipleship.

Beverly is preceded in death by her husband of sixty-four years, J. C. Stephens; her parents, Lee and Cleta Denton; two sisters, Carrie Corrick and Oneita Wallis; and brother James Denton.

Beverly is survived by her sons, Charles Stephens and wife Shirley, and Michael Edward Stephens; grandson, Michael David Stephens; granddaughters, Stacy Snyder and Terri Turner; five great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.