James Stanley Stephens, “Jim,” was born July 31, 1940 in Chattanooga, TN. He graduated from Chattanooga City High School and received a full scholarship to MIT in Cambridge, MA, where he graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1962 and embarked on a 40 year career with Dupont. On June 29 of 1963, Jim married Erla “Ellie” Richardson in Sheffield, VT, whom he met in 1961 during a youth rally at the Park Street Congregational Church in Boston, MA. Together they lived in Columbia, TN, Roswell, GA, and Media, PA, before retiring to Stanley, NC in 2002.
Partners in everything, Jim and Ellie enjoyed a loving marriage of 61 years, during which they served the Lord, raised a beautiful family, and traveled the world visiting the Holy Land, Africa, Central and South America, Europe, the Caribbean, and the UK. They served on multiple mission teams in the jungles of Haiti, Jamacia, and Honduras. They are members of the Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC, where Jim served as a deacon.
James Stanley Stephens went to be with the Lord on October 15, 2024. Jim was preceded in death by his parents James Foster and Ruby Jacks Stephens, and his sister Betty Stephens Fowler.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years Erla “Ellie” Richardson Stephens; his three children, James Foster Stephens, Michael Charles Stephens, and Melanie Stephens Chandler; seven grandchildren Caroline Ashley Stephens Ryker, Leah Kay Stephens, Gabrielle Anne Stephens, Rachel Stephens Lake, Joshua Stephens Feazell, Vance Foster Stephens, and Christina Nicole Schiff; and three great-grandchildren Theodore Calvin Ryker, Ophelia Wina Lake, and Hazel Kay Stephens.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Jim at 3:00 PM Saturday October 19, 2024 at The Good Samaritan Funeral Home 3362 North Highway 16 Business Denver, NC 28037. All friends and family are welcomed.
In lieu of flowers, Jim wished for donations to support the Honduras Baptist Dental Mission.
Website:
https://www.medicaldental.org/
By check:
Honduras Baptist Dental Mission
PO Box 1807
Collins, Mississippi 39428
Online via PayPal:
https://www.paypal.com/US/
All my thoughts and prayers to the family. ❤️
What nice legacy for this foundation.
Sharon–friend of Melanie
What a wonderful man. We love him and he will most certainly be missed. He fought a valiant fight and ran a truly great race.
Jim will be very missed…that smile, friendly spirit, and good nature were such a part of him. What a beautiful family and legacy of love he left behind. Smartest man I knew….. RIP Jim…God needed an angel..
Jim always had a smile and kind word for all. We were side fence neighbors for the last 20 years and spent hours on end enjoying conversations. When our wives wondered were either of us were, they came out , knowing they could join in a fun conversation. Jessi and I will miss his wit, killer smile , and friendship. As Jim told me a few days ago…. He is at peace, knowing he and Ellie will someday be reunited for eternity.
The best father-in-law that anyone could ask for!
Jim was a valued classmate at City High, and made a full life for himself thereafter. My sympathies to his family.
We grieve Jim’s earthly passing and how he will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends. But we celebrate with the angels in Heaven as Jim has passed into the presence of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We treasure the memories of serving together with Jim and his family on the Honduras mission team.
So sorry Erla
So sorry to hear. Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
May God comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
When I think of Jim, I have to think of Ellie as they were inseparable. Both with big smiles and an auora of love and kindness. I am a better person because of knowing Jim. He loved serving on the mission field, serving his church family and serving his fellow man any way that came to his attention! Heaven is a richer place with his addition but we will greatly miss his gentle spirit! Our prayers are with you Ellie and family !
Ellie, your friends and sisters in Christ from your small group will remember you and your family in prayer.
Uncle Jim, one the calmest, most laid back, intelligent and honored men who loved the Lord. I know there is a great celebration in heaven happening, but you will be missed here on earth.
My heart goes out to you and your family for the loss of your dear Father. I hope your happy memories will help you through this difficult time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gina Greco Stephens (massage therapist)