Jean P. Stephenson

Jean P. Stephenson PORTSMOUTH - Jean Purviance Stephenson, 83, died March 6, 2009. Born Sept. 22, 1925, in Huntington, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Harmon Montgomery and Annetta Whitelock Purviance. She was the widow of James Pruden Stephenson. She was a graduate of Mary Washington College and had previously taught first grade in the Virginia public school system. She was a member of Monumental United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, a longtime member of the choir and she was the leader of the Ruth Mayhall Circle of the church. She was a member of the Portsmouth Music Club, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Mu Phi Epsilon. She is survived by her son, James Alan Stephenson and his wife Sheila of Chesapeake; two granddaughters, Paige Holleran and her husband Jonathan of Aldie, Kelly Stephenson Bendler and her husband Jeremy of Silver Spring, Md.; a great-grandson, Jake Bendler; two brothers, Harmon Montgomery Purviance III and his wife Elizabeth of Wintergreen, Samual W. Purviance and his wife Hilda of Wakefield; a sister, Mary P. Futrell of Branchville; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Ninette P. Kirkland. A funeral will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Monumental United Methodist Church in Portsmouth with the Rev. Robert E. Friend officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Beechwood Cemetery, Boykins. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to Monumental United Methodist Church, 450 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, VA 23703. Condolences may be posted at www.jtmorriss.com.