Mr. Junior Clifford Stephens, 94, of Anderson, Missouri, departed this life on Thursday morning, April 5, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, after a recent decline in health.
Junior entered this life on February 8, 1924, in Washburn, Missouri, one of ten children born to the late Moses Clifford and Emmaline (Cargile) Stephens. He was raised in Anderson, Missouri and attended Pineville Schools. Junior served his country faithfully in the United States Army during WW-II. After being honorably discharged he returned home to Anderson and on December 8, 1945, he was united in marriage to Wanda Mae Kenney. In 1951, they moved to California, where Junior worked in the lumber industry. After leaving California, in 1953, they resided a brief time in Rockford, Illinois, before returning home to Anderson. He was employed for several years at Tatum Motor Company and later for Bill McCracken Motors. After retiring at age 62, Junior established J&W Wrecker Service, working well into his 90’s. After Wanda’s passing, Junior married Sarepta Abercrombie on January 12, 2008 and together they have shared the last ten years. He enjoyed gardening and sharing his homegrown produce with his friends and neighbors. He was a farmer at heart and a talented mechanic. He and Sarepta attended the Greenwood Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Wanda Stephens on December 8, 2007; a daughter Patricia Stephens; two grandsons, Paul and David York; and two brothers, Paul and Bob Stephens.
Junior is survived by his wife, Sarepta Stephens of the home; two daughers, Doris York and husband, Curtis, of Stockton, California and Sherry Kindred of Glendale, Arizona; a son, David Stephens and wife, Pat, of Greenwood, Arkansas; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; three stepchildren, Perry Abercrombie of Anderson, Tommy Abercrombie of Noel and Vickie Armstrong of Anderson; two step-grandchildren; one step-great grandchild; four brothers, Leroy Stephens of Decatur, Arkansas, Robert Stephens of Pineville, Missouri, Larry Stephens of Madison, Georgia and Joe Stephens of Seneca, Missouri; three sisters, Maxine Leuellen of St. Louis, Missouri, Irene Williams of Grove, Oklahoma and Mary Ann Finney of Goodman, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services with full military honors will be held graveside on Monday, April 9, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the Peace Valley Cemetery in Anderson, Missouri with Bro. Hank Gorman officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 2-4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers memorials are being directed to the Wounded Warrior Project c/o the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website, www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.
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