Dester Stephens

Mr. Dester Stephens, age 86 of Resaca, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at Gordon Hospital following an extended illness. He was born in Helenwood, Tennessee on January 30, 1923, son of the late Claude and Hattie Dolen Stephens. During his lifetime, he was a steelworker with Copperweld Steel in Warren, Ohio, where he lived many years, and a farmer. Mr. Stephens was a veteran, having served his country in the United States Coast Guard during World War II, and was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Colleen Carter Stephens; a son, Ronald D. Stephens; a daughter, Beverly Stephens; four brothers, Chester, Eugene, Billy, and Jimmy Stephens; and two sisters, Ella Klancher and Mildred Caplinger.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Millie Stephens of Ranger; six daughters, Betty Tenney and her husband Floyd of Resaca, Bonnie Schulte and her husband Jim of Noble, Oklahoma, Phyllis Perkins of Cincinnati, Ohio, Pamela Hudson of Macon, Georgia, Patsy Hutchinson of Resaca, and Tammy Crawford and her husband David of Seattle, Washington; a brother and sister-in-law, Kenny and Mona Stephens of Resaca; and two sisters, Dreamelee Whittamore of Calhoun, and Jane Benson and her husband Buddy of Nicklesville. Eighteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; special friends, Randall and Joan Pack and family; and nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Dester Stephens will be conducted Saturday, September 5th at 1:00pm from the chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, with Rev. Ricky Silvers officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Zion Cemetery. Active pallbearers will include Tom Stephens, Ryan Corn, Robert Perkins, Brian Perkins, Jason Hudson, Alex Stephens, Jerry Mitchell, and Scott Crawford. The Stephens family will receive friends at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home Friday evening from 6:00pm until 9:00pm.

Online condolences may be expressed and the guestbook signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Family owned and operated Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home is conducting the funeral services for Mr. Dester Stephens, age 86 of Resaca.