Altha Mae Stephens passed away Tuesday afternoon at her home at Vickery Towers at the age of 102. Her life was full of love, charity, devotion and laughter.
Ms. Stephens was born June 27, 1908 to Violina and Emmit Cash, in Boyd, Wise County, Texas. She grew up on a farm with no electricity, amongst the cotton fields. During high school, she met her future husband, Jim Wilkerson Stephens (born 1900), who was her teacher in Boyd's one-room school house. After a horse-and-carriage courtship, they wed in 1929, moving to Dallas, where they raised two daughters, Marlene and Karen Ann in Oak Cliff.
She was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for many years, and later at East Grand Baptist Church. Her Christian faith was strong, and she studied the Bible daily until she lost her sight. She was a masterful gardener, nurturing her garden and each soul she touched, spreading her pearls of wisdom. Loved by all, she lived by her golden rule: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
She and Jim began traveling in their 70's, visiting Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean multiple times, with a final trip to the Great Wall of China at age 79. She lost her beloved husband of 65 years, Jim, in 1994. She continued to be very active in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making each feel as if they were the most important person in the world. Her kitchen was a big as her heart, feeding the heart and soul alike.
She moved to Vickery Towers in 2001 after losing her sight. Despite her setbacks, she maintained her cheerful optimism and sharp wit, and she remained kind and generous to her fellow residents. She left an indelible imprint on all she met, and was an inspirational role model to many. A spirited woman, who lived life to the fullest, she gave her all to help her fellow man.
Ms. Stephens leaves behind many loved ones, daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Drake Patterson; daughter, Karen Ann Tompkins; granddaughter, Ann Marie Patterson; grandson and wife, Brian and Jennifer Patterson; grandson and wife, Taylor and Julie Tompkins; and granddaughter and husband, Tara and Stephen Harwell. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Kaylee, Collin and Luke Tompkins and Hailey Mae Harwell as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Wilkerson Stephens; and sister, El Vada Simpson.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm, Friday, July 30, at the funeral home. Services will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, July 31, Grove Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Grove Hill Memorial Park.
Ms. Stephens was born June 27, 1908 to Violina and Emmit Cash, in Boyd, Wise County, Texas. She grew up on a farm with no electricity, amongst the cotton fields. During high school, she met her future husband, Jim Wilkerson Stephens (born 1900), who was her teacher in Boyd's one-room school house. After a horse-and-carriage courtship, they wed in 1929, moving to Dallas, where they raised two daughters, Marlene and Karen Ann in Oak Cliff.
She was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for many years, and later at East Grand Baptist Church. Her Christian faith was strong, and she studied the Bible daily until she lost her sight. She was a masterful gardener, nurturing her garden and each soul she touched, spreading her pearls of wisdom. Loved by all, she lived by her golden rule: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
She and Jim began traveling in their 70's, visiting Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean multiple times, with a final trip to the Great Wall of China at age 79. She lost her beloved husband of 65 years, Jim, in 1994. She continued to be very active in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making each feel as if they were the most important person in the world. Her kitchen was a big as her heart, feeding the heart and soul alike.
She moved to Vickery Towers in 2001 after losing her sight. Despite her setbacks, she maintained her cheerful optimism and sharp wit, and she remained kind and generous to her fellow residents. She left an indelible imprint on all she met, and was an inspirational role model to many. A spirited woman, who lived life to the fullest, she gave her all to help her fellow man.
Ms. Stephens leaves behind many loved ones, daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Drake Patterson; daughter, Karen Ann Tompkins; granddaughter, Ann Marie Patterson; grandson and wife, Brian and Jennifer Patterson; grandson and wife, Taylor and Julie Tompkins; and granddaughter and husband, Tara and Stephen Harwell. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Kaylee, Collin and Luke Tompkins and Hailey Mae Harwell as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Wilkerson Stephens; and sister, El Vada Simpson.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm, Friday, July 30, at the funeral home. Services will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, July 31, Grove Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Grove Hill Memorial Park.
Altha Mae Stephens passed away Tuesday afternoon at her home at Vickery Towers at the age of 102. Her life was full of love, charity, devotion and laughter.
Ms. Stephens was born June 27, 1908 to Violina and Emmit Cash, in Boyd, Wise County, Texas. She grew up on a farm with no electricity, amongst the cotton fields. During high school, she met her future husband, Jim Wilkerson Stephens (born 1900), who was her teacher in Boyd's one-room school house. After a horse-and-carriage courtship, they wed in 1929, moving to Dallas, where they raised two daughters, Marlene and Karen Ann in Oak Cliff.
She was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for many years, and later at East Grand Baptist Church. Her Christian faith was strong, and she studied the Bible daily until she lost her sight. She was a masterful gardener, nurturing her garden and each soul she touched, spreading her pearls of wisdom. Loved by all, she lived by her golden rule: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
She and Jim began traveling in their 70's, visiting Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean multiple times, with a final trip to the Great Wall of China at age 79. She lost her beloved husband of 65 years, Jim, in 1994. She continued to be very active in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making each feel as if they were the most important person in the world. Her kitchen was a big as her heart, feeding the heart and soul alike.
She moved to Vickery Towers in 2001 after losing her sight. Despite her setbacks, she maintained her cheerful optimism and sharp wit, and she remained kind and generous to her fellow residents. She left an indelible imprint on all she met, and was an inspirational role model to many. A spirited woman, who lived life to the fullest, she gave her all to help her fellow man.
Ms. Stephens leaves behind many loved ones, daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Drake Patterson; daughter, Karen Ann Tompkins; granddaughter, Ann Marie Patterson; grandson and wife, Brian and Jennifer Patterson; grandson and wife, Taylor and Julie Tompkins; and granddaughter and husband, Tara and Stephen Harwell. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Kaylee, Collin and Luke Tompkins and Hailey Mae Harwell as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Wilkerson Stephens; and sister, El Vada Simpson.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm, Friday, July 30, at the funeral home. Services will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, July 31, Grove Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Grove Hill Memorial Park.
Ms. Stephens was born June 27, 1908 to Violina and Emmit Cash, in Boyd, Wise County, Texas. She grew up on a farm with no electricity, amongst the cotton fields. During high school, she met her future husband, Jim Wilkerson Stephens (born 1900), who was her teacher in Boyd's one-room school house. After a horse-and-carriage courtship, they wed in 1929, moving to Dallas, where they raised two daughters, Marlene and Karen Ann in Oak Cliff.
She was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for many years, and later at East Grand Baptist Church. Her Christian faith was strong, and she studied the Bible daily until she lost her sight. She was a masterful gardener, nurturing her garden and each soul she touched, spreading her pearls of wisdom. Loved by all, she lived by her golden rule: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
She and Jim began traveling in their 70's, visiting Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean multiple times, with a final trip to the Great Wall of China at age 79. She lost her beloved husband of 65 years, Jim, in 1994. She continued to be very active in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making each feel as if they were the most important person in the world. Her kitchen was a big as her heart, feeding the heart and soul alike.
She moved to Vickery Towers in 2001 after losing her sight. Despite her setbacks, she maintained her cheerful optimism and sharp wit, and she remained kind and generous to her fellow residents. She left an indelible imprint on all she met, and was an inspirational role model to many. A spirited woman, who lived life to the fullest, she gave her all to help her fellow man.
Ms. Stephens leaves behind many loved ones, daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Drake Patterson; daughter, Karen Ann Tompkins; granddaughter, Ann Marie Patterson; grandson and wife, Brian and Jennifer Patterson; grandson and wife, Taylor and Julie Tompkins; and granddaughter and husband, Tara and Stephen Harwell. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Kaylee, Collin and Luke Tompkins and Hailey Mae Harwell as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Wilkerson Stephens; and sister, El Vada Simpson.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm, Friday, July 30, at the funeral home. Services will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, July 31, Grove Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Grove Hill Memorial Park.
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