Frances Leah Oberlin Stephens

Mrs. Frances Leah Oberlin Stephens was born on September 30, 1945, to Irving and Oleta Oberlin in Natchez, MS. The oldest of three siblings, she graduated from Natchez High School in 1963. On October 6, 1963, Frances married Dr. Joseph Stephens at Melmont, the Oberlin home, in Natchez. Joseph was a surgeon, former Superintendent of the Natchez Charity Hospital and co-founder of Nautilus Memorial Hospital in Waverly, TN. Frances worked in her parents’ jewelry store and movie theater until their son, Joseph Samuel, was born in 1971. In 1972, daughter, Courtney Alyson, joined the family. Fran was a stay-at-home mother who was very active in the lives of her children, photographing or videotaping every event they were involved in.

Until his retirement in 1972, Joseph commuted from Natchez to Waverly. In 1979, the Stephens family moved from Natchez to Waverly.

In 1999, Fran’s first grandchild was born. On January 12, 2002, Joseph passed away after 38 years of marriage. Fran (also known as MawMaw and Nana) was a devoted, doting and entertaining grandparent to what grew to ten grandchildren. She was dearly loved by each of them.

Fran passed away on March 9, 2026, after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke at the Dickson Wal-Mart, ironically, on February 12, 2026. Two days before the stroke, she held her great grandson for the first time. During the last weeks of her life, she was surrounded nonstop by her children, grandchildren, other family members and friends who held her hand, talked to her, sang hymns, prayed and encouraged her faith in the Lord Jesus. A constant stream of visitors attests to the love people had for Fran. She was well known for her kindness, gentle spirit and overwhelming generosity.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and niece, Amber Dawn Oberlin.

She is survived by:

Brothers: Stanley “Rock” Oberlin and Samuel Oberlin

Children: Joe Sam Stephens (Dana) and Courtney Alyson Stephens Rice (David)

Grandchildren and Great-grandchild: Toby Rice (Rachael); Leah Rice; Aaron Rice (Kate) and son, Forest; Levi Rice (Elisabeth); Joseph Daniel “Scout” Stephens; Sophia Rice; Evangeline Rice; James Rice; Havalah Rice; and Gloria Ruth Frances “Ruthie” Rice

Nieces and Nephew: Jan James Adams (Derek), Ashley Oberlin Walker (Jeff), Jared Oberlin (Samantha)

Pallbearers: Toby Rice, Aaron Rice, Levi Rice, James Rice, Scout Stephens, Jeff Walker

Honorary Pallbearers: Sonny Womack, Russell Gill

Visitation will be held at Humphreys County Funeral Home from 2:00pm until service time Saturday, March 14th.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Stephens will be conducted at 4:00pm Saturday, March 14, 2026, in the Humphreys County Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jeff Lankford and Jeff Walker officiating.

Interment will follow in Richlawn Cemetery.

Arrangements by the Humphreys County Funeral Home