Barbara J. Stephens Obituary
A private family memorial is being planned. Contributions in memory of Barbara may be made to Centrica Care Navigators Hospice, c/o the funeral home.
Barbara Jane Stephens, Age 90, passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2025, surrounded by all her loved ones, near and far. Barbara was born in Walker County, Alabama, on August 12, 1934, the daughter of Arthur and Niva (Ledbetter) Parker. On October 3, 1951, she married the love of her life, James Stephens who preceded her in death on August 2, 2012.
Barabara's husband, two sons, daughter, and grandchildren were the focus and center of her life. Barbara was very productive throughout her life. She built a successful cosmetology business while raising three children. Barbara enjoyed attending her grandchildren's school events and spending as much time as possible with her family. In later years, after retiring, she worked with her husband to build a lawn mowing business, Happy Landing Convenience Store, Fisherman's Luck Bait and Tackle, and was elected to be a trustee on the Newberg Township Board in Jones, Michigan. Barbara lived an amazing, successful life and provided an abundance of love to all who entered her life. She will be forever deeply missed, but she is now with the one person who she loved and who loved her more than anyone else ever could, her husband of 61 years.
Barbara leaves to cherish her loving memory, her children, Joe (Pam) Stephens of Shelby, IN, Alan Stephens of Three Rivers, Debbie (Craig) Gottschall of Kalamazoo; her grandchildren Jeff (Vicki) Stephens, Jody (Rich) Bergeron, Carrie (Todd) Stelzer, Casey (Tony) Feher, Michelle (Kirt) Guthrie, Jen Furlong, Matthew (Nikita) Stephens, Valerie (Joachim) Beekmans, Hillary Worthington, James Gottschall, Stephenie (Kelsie) Manion, Laura Doss, Kara (Alek) Pettinger; her 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 great, great-grandchild; sisters-in-law Betty Griffith, Doris Parker, Shelby Parker; sister, Suzy (Jack Larry) Crawswell; brother, Ray Parker; several nieces and nephews as well as a host of loving, supportive extended family, and countless friends. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James Arthur Parker, Edward Parker, and Tommy Parker; and a sister, Gail Weldon.
