Virgil Lawrence Stephens

1927 - 2007

Virgil Lawrence Stephens, 80, a retired supervisor for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, died Sunday, April 22, 2007, at a Fort Worth hospital.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Dennis First Baptist Church. Burial: Annetta Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel.

Memorials In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Dennis.

Virgil Lawrence Stephens was born to James David and Myrtle Stephens on April 16, 1927, in Whitt. He was the seventh child of a family of 11. He lived in the Whitt and Graford area until volunteering for the Navy in the latter stages of World War II. Upon returning from the war, he met the love of his life, Mary Sue Stewart. They were married Sept. 2, 1950, in Munday. This marriage brought three beautiful children, Karen, Jimmy and LuAnn. Virgil proudly served the state of Texas for 34 years working for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. His posts included Mineral Wells, Paris, Vernon, Seymour, Wichita Falls and Fort Worth, where he retired as the supervisor for the Fort Worth region. Virgil was a Texan through and through, loving the land and its culture. Just like his idol, Bob Wills, Virgil began playing the fiddle at the age of 6 and never stopped, making a CD at the age of 77 with his close friend, Barbara Brunson. He loved his "country" home, where he raised longhorns, rode his four-wheeler and played on his tractor daily. The "red house" was a favorite place where he sat, listening to music and reminiscing about the old times.

The family wishes to extend deepest appreciation for all the members of Universal Hospice Care, Fort Worth, for all their support, concern and love during this time in Virgil's life.

Virgil was preceded in death by his father and mother; sisters, Wilsie, Polly and Joyce; and brothers, Alton, D.J., Cazwell, Jones Lee and Jasper.

Survivors: Wife, Sue of Dennis; daughter, Karen Mountcastle and husband, George, of Bedford; son, Jimmy Stephens and wife, Meredith, of Keller; daughter, LuAnn Krey and husband, Mark, of Springtown; sisters, Lucy Garrison of Arlington and Syble Hash of Lubbock; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and friends.