Lila Hazel Johnson Stephens

Lila Hazel Johnson Stephens, 105, passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2011. She was born to Jess and Fannie Johnson on December 17, 1905. She was the third eldest of six children. She grew up on a farm on the river bottoms of Copperas Creek in Comanche County, Texas. At the age of 18, she married Martin Elmore Stephens and began married life on a farm located 2 miles east of her place of birth. Together, they raised three sons, Homer, Ralph and Autry, and two daughters, Norma Marjorie and Debra Lynn. She is survived by daughters, Norma Price and Debra Heath and husband, Jack; son, Autry Stephens and wife, Linda; grandsons, Stephen Stokes and Joseph Martin Stephens and wife, Deana; granddaughters, Cynthia Crow and Lyndal Greth and husband, Richard; great grandsons, Vincent Crow, Christopher Crow, John Mart Stephens, and Wyatt Autry Greth; and great grand- daughters, Samantha Stephens and Tiffany Boswell; seven great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974; sons, Homer Stephens and his wife, Veda, and Ralph Stephens; grandson, Rodney Stephens; her brothers, Harvey Johnson, George Johnson, and Jesse Johnson, Jr.; sisters, Lizzie Alice Howell and Bessie McGinnis; great-great granddaugher, Tess Crow; grandson-in-law, Danny Crow; and her parents. She lived on the family farm located 10 miles southwest of De Leon from 1923 until 1977, after which she lived in De Leon and Brownwood. She was a member of De Leon First United Methodist Church and thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Suzanna Wesley Sunday School. She enjoyed the outdoors, farming, gardening, growing flowers, sewing, knitting, quilting, and crocheting. Her family still enjoys many of the beautiful items she created over the years. She was an expert cook who could prepare a magnificent meal from meager beginnings. Her chicken fried steak, cream gravy, mashed potatoes, blackeyed peas, fresh peeled and sliced tomatoes, and homemade ice cream were without equal. She worked hard and made many sacrifices over a very long time for the benefit of her family. She was a kind, nurturing, and loving person, who was loved and respected by all who knew her. She was the Rock of Gibralter of her family. She leaves a giant void in the lives of her family; but they feel lucky to have had such an incredible mother. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., at Nowlin Anders Funeral Home in De Leon. Dr. Don Scroggs will officiate the service. Music will be provided by Diane Donegan, Gayle Stroud, Xandra Carter, and Nelda Pritty. Pallbearers will be Christopher Crow, John Mart Stephens, Joe Stephens, Stephen Stokes, David Abbey, and Scotty Koonce. Burial will follow in De Leon Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to your charity of choice, in memory of Hazel. Online condolences may be posted to: www.nowlinandersfh.com.