Wanda Tillman Stephens

Wanda Stephens

Wanda Tillman Stephens was welcomed back into the loving arms of God on the morning of July 16, 2022, after 82 years of life and faithful witness to God's love.

Wanda was born on Sept. 14, 1939, in Surrency, Ga., to James Kendrick and Grace Tillman; she was the oldest of their four children. She attended and played basketball at Surrency High School. She held a special fondness for her classmates and assisted in hosting regular class reunions. She attended Tift College in Forsyth, Ga., where she learned everything she needed to serve as a secretary at First United Methodist Church in Brunswick, Ga., and then an administrative secretary at Southeast Georgia Regional Health System-Brunswick Hospital for 38 years, until she retired.

While working at First United Methodist Church, Wanda met Brunswick native, Lynch "Doogie" Stephens who she married on May 20, 1960. Wanda and Doogie shared 62 years of marriage, love and life. Their love has been the foundation for generations of children and grandchildren and an example to anyone that experienced the joy they brought to one another.

Wanda was the mother to four children who she loved deeply and would do anything for. Her love for them knew no bounds and she beamed with pride for each of them.

Known as "Granny" to her eight grandchildren, Granny Wanda was the best grandmother anyone could hope for. She had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren and spent precious time pouring love into all of them. Her grandchildren especially remember treasured time at "Dina Beach" and summers spent playing kickball with her in her yard and swimming in the pool. Granny Wanda played with her grandchildren like she was their age, and her family takes comfort in knowing that she is free from pain and able to play once again.

Wanda was a woman of great faith and she embodied the love of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the way she loved those around her. She was a long time member of Brunswick First Church of the Nazarene (now called Grace Community Church of the Nazarene) where she taught Sunday School, played piano, hosted ladies' and youth events, and always (arguably) brought the best dish to any potluck.

Wanda showed her love through her food, and anyone lucky enough to eat a meal she lovingly prepared knows that her love made all the difference. Her family remembers her cooking with fondness and treasure all the meals shared together at "Sunday lunch." Wanda never let anyone come to her house without "fixing a plate" and she sent meals to many of her friends and family to show her love to them. She was an amazing cook and her family will miss sharing meals, laughs, and stories with her.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents "Papa and Granny Grace;" her brother, Ed Tillman; her sister-in-law, Johnnie Tillman; and many other beloved friends and family.

Wanda is survived by her adoring husband, Lynch "Doogie" Stephens; her four children, all of Brunswick - Steve Stephens and his wife, Tara, Christy Buie and her husband, Dennis, Scott Stephens and his wife, Robin, and Jenny McDowell and her husband, Roy. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Jonathan, Mitch (Brittany), Jakob, Erin (Miles), Trey (Jamie), Jordan (Brianna), Mindy, Lauren and Kyle; and two great-grandchildren, Laynee Grace and Collins, and a great-grandson due in August. She also leaves behind her sisters, Kay Tillman McCranie (Bill) and Janice Tillman, all of Willacoochee; and her brother, Ken Tillman (Dale) of Alma. She is survived by many other precious family members and friends as well as her dog, Dino, who will miss her dearly.

The family will welcome friends and family for a visitation at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at Bay Harbour Church of God, in Brunswick. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Palmetto Cemetery.

Pallbearers for the service will be her grandsons, Jonathan, Mitch, Jakob, Trey, Jordan and Kyle.

We, her family, will miss her dearly, but we are so grateful for the time we had to spend with her. We will always feel her presence in our hearts.

Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Wanda Stephens.

Family-placed obituary

The Brunswick News, July 19, 2022