Mikala Ann Faville Stephens

1939 - 2021

Mikala Ann Faville Stephens ("Mike")
Amarillo - Mikala Ann Faville Stephens ("Mike") was born on October 13, 1939, and died on March 18, 2021. She was descended from Captain John Favill (as the family name was spelled then) of the Continental Army and from pioneers who homesteaded property in the New Mexico Territory before it became a state. She was the adored only child of Leroy Hake Faville and Wanda Cain Faville.
Mikala, an accomplished student despite losing her hearing as a college coed, graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was president of her sorority, Delta Zeta, at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M). She completed her Masters degree and pursued her doctoral studies at Smith College, Trinity University, and Texas Tech. She had a successful career working with young and hearing-impaired students. She served as an administrator in Amarillo and area schools. She was thrilled by the successes of her students.
Mikala was known for her beautiful and unusually green eyes. Mikala loved dogs, especially her King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Nicholas and Remington. She was an avid reader who often finished a book a night. She cherished time spent at the family cabin and traveling with family and friends. She played a wide array of instruments including piano, banjo, clarinet, violin, and handbells. She enjoyed needlepointing, working puzzles, creating gorgeous table settings, driving convertibles, gardening, and decorating for holidays-especially Christmas. Mikala and Buddy spent many evenings on the dance floor doing the jitterbug and the cha-cha.
She was a sustaining member of the Amarillo Junior League, the Junior League Garden Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Daughters of the King. She served on numerous local and state boards, including the Texas Special Education Advisory Board, which she chaired.
Mikala loved her family with a depth that defies description. She was the staunchest ally, the greatest cheerleader, and the first comforter to her family members. Mikala was married to S. S. "Buddy" Stephens for 62 years. Their oldest child, Shawn, lives in Houston and is married to James ("Jim") M. Jordan. Shawn and Jim have a daughter, Shelby. Mikala's younger child, Brent, lives in Amarillo. Brent's daughter, Ellen, is married to Orin Lonadier. They have two sons, Kayden, and Karson.
Mikala's family thanks the BSA CCU team and the BSA Hospice team. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in honor of Mikala to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (1601 S. Georgia, Amarillo, Texas 79102) or to a charity of your choice.
Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 22, 2021, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Due to Covid-19, seating at the church will be limited; masks will be required. The service will be live-streamed on the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Facebook Page. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
Sign the online guestbook at www.boxwellbrothers.com.