Jewell M. Tomlinson Stephens' Obituary
Jewell M. Tomlinson Stephens, age 97, passed peacefully from this world on Monday, January 6, 2020. She is now enjoying the rewards of her steadfast Christian faith.
Jewell was born in 1922, the daughter of Eathel A. and Mary (Mugley) Tomlinson near Winslow, Arkansas. She was the fifth of eight in the family. On April 12, 1941, she and Lacie Stephens married. The following year Lacie was called to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. For three years they lived in Boise, Idaho, where Lacie was stationed at Gowen Field. Their time there left them many pleasant memories and friends. After the war they returned to Arkansas and lived in Fayetteville, where their three daughters were born.
Jewell was preceded in death by her husband, Lacie Stephens in 1987; her daughter, Peggy Tate in 2013; her parents; three sisters; and two brothers.
Surviving are her two daughters, Christine (Ron) Thurston of Bella Vista and Geraldine (Mike) Dennis of Winslow; son-in-law, Ralph Tate of Alma; Nine grandchildren, Stanley (Heather) Thurston of Rolla, Missouri, Dietrich (Nichole) Thurston and Sarah Thurston of Bella Vista, Stephen (Mindy) Tate of Alma; Catherine (Jeff) Smith of Van Buren, Rebecca Tate of Alma, Jeffrey (Shannon) Dennis of Winslow, Matthew Dennis of Winslow and Timothy Dennis of Fayetteville; and two sisters, Betty Murphy and Wanda Harris of Fayetteville; fifteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Jewell was a faithful member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Fayetteville since 1962. Jewell’s life was always centered on family and her faith.
A visitation will be held from 4:30 – 6:30pm on Friday, January 10, 2020, at Calvary Baptist Church at 1410 N Porter Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72703. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at Calvary Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/ or The V Foundation (for cancer research) at https://www.v.org/about/
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