Elizabeth Terrill Savage Stephens

Elizabeth Terrill Savage Stephens

Elizabeth Terrill Savage Stephens passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the age of 98. Ms. Savage Stephens was born on July 11, 1927, at her parents' home at 407 Amelia Street in Fredericksburg. She was the only daughter of Joseph Lynn Savage Sr. and Susan Yates Savage.

Betty graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1943 and Mary Washington College in 1947. She married A. Ford Stephens at St. George's Episcopal Church in 1950. The couple had four children: David Langhorne Stephens, Susan Yates Stephens, James W.G. Stephens, and Philip Eastman Stephens.

Betty taught English and history at Greenwich Academy in Greenwich, Conn. for many years before returning to Virginia to work, first as assistant to Frank Mankiewicz, president of National Public Radio and then as assistant to John Seigenthaler at USA Today.

Upon retiring, she returned to Fredericksburg to live on Amelia Street where she grew up.

Her brother, Francis Yates Savage predeceased her on December 21, 2005. Her brother, Joseph Lynn Savage Jr. predeceased her on March 27, 2014.

Betty is survived by her sons, David L. Stephens, James W. G. Stephens, and Philip E. Stephens; her daughter, Susan Y. Stephens; eight grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.