Arthur Herman Stephens

Arthur Herman Stephens, age 75 of Sylva, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday morning, August 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at Mission Memorial Hospital.
He was born November 14, 1949, to the late Clarence and Marlow Henry Stephens. In addition to his parents, Arthur was preceded in death by a brother, Doyle Stephens, and a grandson, Zachary Bryson.
He was a graduate of Sylva-Webster High School and Western Carolina University, and went on to a career in business administration, serving as purchasing director for CJ Harris Hospital for fourteen years, followed by Director of Procurement for Western Carolina University for twenty-five years, until his retirement in 2014.
The youngest of seven boys, Arthur grew up to love hunting, fishing and camping. He spent much time with his brothers, son, and grandson enjoying the outdoors in Western North Carolina as well as special trips to Georgia, Colorado, and Canada. He was a strong Christian who believed in the importance of his service as a member of Gideon's International, Jackson County Camp. He enjoyed fellowship with his Gideon brothers, as well as serving as a Gideon speaker in churches across Western North Carolina to enlist financial support for the distribution of bibles throughout the world.
A member of Moses Creek Baptist Church in Cullowhee, Arthur loved his church family and sought to serve God's will in every aspect of his life. He loved to sing and spent many years as choir director as well as travelling to sing with The Stephens Family. It was in this setting that he met and married his wife of 51 years, Kathie Buchanan Stephens.
In addition to his wife, Kathie, Arthur is survived by two daughters, April Bryson (Steve) and Charae' Naegler (Craig); a son, Shaun Stephens; five grandchildren, Cody Bryson (Bridgida), Adam and Alice Stephens, Grayson and Gabby Melton; three great-grandchildren, Cooper, Ayla, and Elsie Bryson; five brothers, Dallas Aldon (Jeannie), Dean Stephens (Mary), Roger Stephens (Martha), Ronnie Stephens, and Charlie Stephens.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 16 at Moses Creek Baptist Church with the Reverends Eddie Stillwell and Mike Gunter officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-3pm with a service to follow at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Gideon's International.