Paula Stephenson

1935 - 2022

Paula Stephenson
September 19, 1935 - August 3, 2022
Paula died peacefully from natural causes on August 3, 2022. She was born September 19, 1935 in Houston, Texas to Paul and Mary Harper. She was the older sister to Mary Lynn and Patrick. She attended high school at Incarnate Word Academy before enrolling at the University of Houston, where she earned a Bachelor degree in Music in 1953 and was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She later attended Southern Methodist University where she earned a Masters of Music in Piano in 1963.
She married George Stephenson, Jr. of Houston on December 22, 1957. In the 1960's George and Paula adopted two sons, George Philip and Charles Ryall, raising them in La Porte, Texas and Houston. The couple moved to Alexandria, Virginia in 2016 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. George passed in August 2016.
Paula is survived by her two sons, her daughters-in-law Betsy and Natalia, and her five grandchildren Grace, Abby, Jack, Sophia and Mary. Her beloved grandson Charlie Stephenson passed on July 10, 2022. She also leaves behind her 4 nieces Danae Stephenson (Martin), Dina Stephenson (John), Donya Stephenson, and Terry Overcash; nephew Paul Rauscher and her brother-in-law Bob Putnam.
Paula was an accomplished musician and a lifetime supporter of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Paula was a talented concert pianist and a devoted long-time member of the Tuesday Music Club in Houston. She taught hundreds of children and adults how to play the piano at her home in Houston and as a music teacher at the Kinkaid School.
She formed several duets and trios including Duo Dynamico, The Cypress Trio, and The Blackwood Trio with fellow musicians and dear friends Alan Johnson, Julie Jacobs and Christopher French, playing innumerable concerts in Texas.
While living in La Porte, George and Paula were active members of the Houston Yacht Club, where Paula sometimes crewed in Wednesday Night Races on the family Cal 25 and later even captained outings on their Tartan 33 the ABIGRACE (named after their first two grandchildren).
In addition to her music career, Paula was a gifted photographer and her photographs continue to adorn houses throughout the country.
Paula also served for several years in the Domestic Violence Unit of the Harris County District Attorney's Office, working closely with domestic abuse victims.
The family plans to hold a private ceremony in her honor at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers or other items, if you are so inclined, please consider donating in her honor to the Jed Foundation (jedfoundation.org).