United States Army Signal Corps,
World War II,
Veteran,

Amon Lafayette Stephens, 90 years of age, of Somerset, Kentucky, departed this life on Thursday, March 8th, 2012 from congestive heart failure.

Amon and his wife, Rosemary were the founders of Amon's Sugar Shack in 1951, the local bakery that has remained a beloved community gathering spot for more than six decades and has gained nationwide acclaim for its donuts through articles published in magazines such as Southern Living.

Presented as a birthday gift to his wife, Rosemary Stephens, on January 18th, 1951, "Amon's" is a local eating establishment which has known a variety of physical addresses throughout its history, but holds a permanent address in the memories of generations of Pulaski County residents.

Amon served in the United States Army Signal Corps during World War II. Ordained as a minister, he studied religion at Clear Creek Baptist College. He served as pastor at Jacksonville Baptist Church, Malvin Hill Baptist Church, and helped start the Barnesburg Baptist Church.

Amon was a member of First Baptist Church of Somerset and served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher there for many years. He was a member of the Somerset Lions Club, a life-long gardener who loved raising tomatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, and corn. He was also a fox hunter, and loved listening to his hounds chase the foxes.

Amon was born in Pine Knot, Kentucky on March 15th, 1921, son of the late Luther Stephens and Savannah Stephens.

Amon was survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Rosemary Strunk Stephens; four sons Autry L. Stephens, Douglas C. Stephens (and Patti Prather), Amon "Terry" Stephens (and Belinda Kidd), and Kirby G. Stephens (and Erin Young), all of Somerset, Kentucky; thirteen grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Andy Stephens of Somerset, Kentucky, Sean Stephens of Bethel Ridge, Kentucky, Brian Stephens of Somerset, Kentucky, Amanda (and David) DeLoach of Savannah, Georgia, Daniel Stephens of Somerset, Kentucky, Eleanor Stephens of Washington D.C., Delaney Stephens of Somerset, Kentucky, Jimmy Prather of Lexington, Kentucky, Brett Jones of Somerset, Kentucky, Evan Jones of Somerset, Kentucky, Katie Crouch of Somerset, Kentucky, Chris Crouch of Somerset, Kentucky, and Isaac Stephens of Somerset, Kentucky; four great-grandchildren, Ashley Stephens of Liberty, Kentucky, Patrick Stephens of Somerset, Kentucky, Andrew DeLoach and Addison DeLoach, both of Savannah, Georgia; two sisters, Faye Webb of St. Petersburg, Flordia and Charlene Strunk of Somerset, Kentucky; one brother, Joe Lee Stephens of Oneida, Tennessee; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends who mourn his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Savannah Stephens; four brothers Cleve Stephens, Prince Stephens, Paul Stephens, and Howard Stephens; and five sisters, Eva Klundt, Edith Hammonds, Nannie Griffith, Trannie Bell, and Letha Stephens.

Visitations were held on Monday, March 12th, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Somerset, Kentucky.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. French Harmon officiating.

THIS IS A TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF AMON,

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an after glow
of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun
of happy memories
that I leave when my life is done.