Robert Franklin Stephens

Shallotte, NC/Loris, SC

Mr. Robert Franklin Stephens, 72, husband of Dianne Stephens, passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center following a brief onset illness.

Born December 31, 1952 in Loris, Franklin was the son of the late Robert Snowie Stephens and the late Annie Mae Stevens Stephens. He was a jack of all trades who could do absolutely anything and he was happiest when he was in his shop "tinkering". He once built a tractor from scratch, including the disc harrow. He had a very keen understanding of how things worked and could take things apart and put them back together effortlessly. Mr. Stephens worked at Hardee Manufacturing for more than 20 years as well as Bay Tree Golf Course and Horry County Schools, as a bus mechanic. After retirement he had his own lawn-care business.

Outside of work, Mr. Stephens enjoyed shagging to beach music and hunting. He was an active member of Mt. Leon Baptist Church, as long as his health permitted, serving there as a deacon and sunday school teacher.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 52 years, Dianne Fipps Stephens; his children, Amy Smith and her husband, Joe, and Chris Stephens; his granddaughter, Eliza Smith; his sisters, Linda James and Bobbie F. Stephens; his brother, Jesse Stephens and his wife Susan; and many other extended family and friends.

Funeral services, officiated by Rev. Andy Bell, will be held at 2:00PM Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Loris Chapel with burial to follow at the Stephens Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00PM-2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Grand Strand Humane Society, 4635 Factory Stores Blvd., Suite N-210, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579.

Please sign the online guest register at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Loris Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.