LaVada Ruth Stephens, formerly of Carl Junction, Missouri, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Baptist Health Center in Conway, Arkansas. She was a member of the Christian Church of Carl Junction, in Carl Junction, Missouri.
Mrs. Stephens was born on May 1, 1932, in St. Joe, Arkansas, to Lonnie and Lula Daniel. As a young child, she and her family moved to Carl Junction, Missouri. She graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1951. After graduation, she married Melvin Dale Stephens. After the birth of their first son, Alan Dale Stephens, they moved to Miami, Oklahoma where she was a homemaker and also worked at Gibson's Discount Store, Safeway, and the Miami News Record. Their second son, David Keith Stephens, was born in Miami. In 1970, she and her family moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Later that same year, they moved back to Carl Junction, where she lived most of her life, helping to support her family working at several jobs, including OTASCO, College Press and Wal-Mart.
She loved her family and was an amazing wife and mother. She loved to laugh, often getting so "tickled" that she couldn't breathe. Her greatest source of pride was her sons. Her five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were the joys of her life. She loved her daughters-in-law and often commented how happy she was that her sons had such good wives. She lived a good life, laughing, working hard, and loving those around her well. But most importantly, she loved the Lord - and taught her boys to love the Lord. She never complained about her life. She embraced it.
Mrs. Stephens was preceeded in death by her husband, her son, Alan, her brother, R.B. Daniel, an infant brother, E.L., and her parents.
She is survived by her son David and his wife Kelly, of Vilonia, Arkansas, her daughter-in-law, Beth Stephens, of Carl Junction and her sister, Bonnie Betz, of Carl Junction. In addition, she is survived by 5 grandchildren; Alison Wilkins and her husband, Ben, of Pittsburg, Kansas, Andrea Stephens of Carl Junction, Isabelle Stephens, Lula Stephens and Samuel Stephens, all three of Vilonia, Arkansas. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Lydia and Eamon Wilkins of Pittsburg. Survivors also include 5 nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews and many cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, at the Christian Church of Carl Junction. Interment will follow at the Carl Junction Cemetery.
A visitation will be held at Parker Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri, on Friday, March 24, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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