Nellie Stephens

Nellie Sue (Hinshaw) Stephens, 95 years of age, passed away at her daughter's home in Rocky Mount, Missouri, on July 23, 2025.
Nellie was born in Columbia, Missouri on November 9, 1929 to parents Lloyd and Vera Gladys (Taylor) Hinshaw. She had a brother, Edward Glenn Hinshaw, who was 4 years older. Glenn served in WWII and was killed by a sniper in Italy in 1945 at the age of 19.
Starting at age 10, Nellie helped her parents by working at the Grand Avenue Grocery store which her father managed. She recalled those days fondly because of the people she met who shopped at the store and she learned how to drive a stick shift truck so she could deliver ice to homes.
Nellie graduated from Hickman High School in 1947. In high school she was voted Best Sophomore Athlete (especially good at volleyball), was a Junior Attendant to the Football Queen, and was Senior Class Secretary. She attended Stephens College and graduated in 1949 with an Associate Degree in Fashion Design. After graduation, she began working as a floral designer at Mueller's Florist in downtown Columbia. She later moved to Allen's Flowers, also in downtown Columbia, where she worked until she retired. Thanks to her design degree and natural talent, she excelled in her career. She retired in 1999 after working in the floral business for 50 years.
She married Kenneth L. Stephens in 1952 and was married for 69 years. They had two children, Glenn L. "Steve" and Kena Sue Stephens.
Nellie loved caring for her family and home and flower gardening. She shared her floral design skills with family, friends, and the Wilkes Blvd Church annual Bizarre. She loved their dog Maddie and enjoyed spoiling her. She supported her children's endeavors, including sports (son), and horse care (daughter), and she and her husband helped both children build their homes. Nellie was a member of the American Legion Post 202 Auxiliary and VFW Post 280 Ladies Auxiliary. She and her husband attended Wilkes Blvd Church. She loved to dance and danced mostly with her son Steve (a dancer) and only occasionally with her husband (not a dancer).
Nellie was preceded in death by her brother, parents, son, and husband. Surviving family members are daughter Kena (Stephens) McAfee and husband John McAfee, and two nieces Ginger (Jacobs) Pisarik and Sherri (Jacobs) Redmon.
Funeral arrangements will be made at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Homes, 902 East North Street, Eldon, MO 65026 (573) 392-3351. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.hedgesscottmillard.com.