Lyndel N. Stephens

Sunrise: April 13, 1907
Sunset: August 10, 2008


ODESSA Our precious mother and grandmother has completed her long journey on this earth and is now enjoying a wonderful and blessed reunion in heaven with her Lord, family members and friends, having lived on this earth over 101 years, a life filled with love, compassion and caring for others.


She was born in Gorman, Texas, to George W. and Quilla (Hazelwood) Harwell, the sixth of eight children. On December 25, 1925, she married Joe W. Hamilton in Electra, Texas. They lived several years in Oklahoma City, where they had 2 children, Carol Jane in 1937 and Dick in 1941.


In 1946, Joe and Lyndel moved to Odessa, and he was killed in an auto accident in February 1947. She married Harold E. (Steve) Stephens on January 5, 1952, in Odessa, and they enjoyed many wonderful and loving years until his death in December 1989. After Steve died, she enjoyed traveling to visit her sisters in Arlington and El Paso, working in her yard, volunteering at her church and watching the Dallas Cowboys. She had been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Odessa since she and Joe lived here briefly in 1939.


She is survived by her daughter, Carol Ramirez of Odessa; and her son, Dick Hamilton and wife, Margaret of Sierra Vista, Arizona. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Lizlynne Hannig and husband, Mike, of Livermore, California, Lynda Polk and husband, John, of Houston, Texas; Kerry Kelly and husband, Larry Murley, of Plantersville, Texas, Janene Hamilton of Phoenix, Arizona. Kathy Collins of Phoenix, Arizona, and Daniel Ramirez of Odessa; four great-grandchildren; two nieces; and two nephews.


She was joyously greeted in heaven by those who had preceded her in death: Her mother and father; brothers, Jeff, Jesse and Tracy Harwell; sisters, Zula Ford, Gladys Stark, Edna McNeil and Hazel Clark; her husbands, Joe and Steve, many wonderful friends; and especially her beloved grandson, Robert Ramirez.


The family is especially grateful for her very special caregiver, Thelma Turner. We appreciate all those who called and visited to let her know she was loved and we also very much appreciate Home Hospice of Odessa.


Services are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home and will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Odessa at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2008, with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial.