Sterling Stephens

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Sterling R. Stephens, 91, of Wentworth, Missouri departed this life on Friday, December 29, 2017 at Freeman Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Sterling entered this life on February 15, 1926 in rural Newton County, Missouri to the union of the late Verney Ray and Luna Pearl (Griffin) Stephens. He was a 1944 graduate of Sarcoxie High School. Sterling proudly served in the United States Army. On November 6, 1949 he was united in marriage to Mary L. McDonald, together they shared sixty eight years. For more than forty four years he was employed as a shoe cutter for Juvenile and Justin Boot. He was a hard worker and a dedicated employee. He was a member of Van Buren Baptist Church in Wentworth, Missouri, where he served as a deacon, as well as serving on other church committees. He was a member of the American Legion, Rural Sarcoxie Fire Board and was involved with the Sarcoxie Senior Center. Sterling enjoyed woodworking and spending time with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by one grandson, Trenton Stephens; and one brother, Gene Stephens.

Sterling is survived by his wife, Mary; three children, Melford Leon Stephens and wife, Nancy, of Gladstone, Missouri, Keith Stephens and wife, Lorna, of Wheaton, Missouri and Nelda Kay Reardon and husband, Eugene of Wentworth, Missouri; grandchildren, Angel Marie Nottage, Matthew Stephens, B.J. Stephens, Aram Stephens, Nicole Brown and Ashley Mize; seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Clyde Stephens of Wentworth, Missouri and one sister, Allis Armstrong of Unionville, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.



Funeral services for Mr. Stephens are 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2018 at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Dowell officiating. Visitation will be from 12-2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will following in the Sarcoxie Cemetery. Those honoring his life by servicing as pallbearers are grandsons and friends. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew Stephens, B.J. Stephens and Aram Stephens. Memorial contributions may be directed to Mary Stephens in care of the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through of website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie, Missouri.