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R. Stephenson Obituary
Richard Garry Stephenson, 50, owner of Stephenson Ornamentals and rose culturalist, died Wednesday. A native of Wake Co., he was the son of the late William and Nancy Wilson Stephenson. An active member of Forest Hills Baptist Church, he was youth leader, a Deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member. He was very involved in local and foreign missions, having made several trips to Gulfport, MS and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Very dear to his heart was the Mabopane Mission Project in South Africa. He made many trips there in support of this mission project.
An honor graduate of Hale High School, he later returned to serve as Head Master of Hale High after his under graduate and graduate degrees at Campbell University.
Funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday at Forest Hills Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park.
Surviving: his wife, Pam Stephenson; daughters, Nancy Ashley Stephenson and her husband, David Teeter and Amanda Blair Stephenson, all of Raleigh; brother, Duane Wilson Stephenson and his wife, Leilani Powell Stephenson of Willow Spring; niece, Megan Adele Stephenson; nephew, Tyler Landon Stephenson.
The family will receive friends 10:00-11:15 a.m. in the church parlor prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the South African Mabopane Mission Project, c/o Forest Hills Baptist Church, 201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh.
Condolences may be made to the family at wwwbryan-leefuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for R. Stephenson
Joyce O'Neal
September 12, 2008
To the Stephenson Family
I just heard of Garry's passing on
9-11-08.My heart is sadden,Garry was such a good person,and a
kind landlord and a good freind.I will
miss our talks we had about cutting grass,about his roses,and about our children,i have never met his wife and girls but i feel like i know them because we talk about the wedding and about life in general.I will truly miss garry he touch my life.
The sweet memories will always be with those of us who were privileged to know garry. There are so many things i could say about garry.GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU.
Sherrill & Stella Denning
September 9, 2008
Pam, Ashley, Amanda & David,
Garry became our rosarian some time ago. We always found him to be very friendly, learned and ready to help in any way.
Our deepest sympathies go out to each of you in this time of great loss. May God bless each of you. We will remember each of you in our prayers.
Phillip Frye
September 9, 2008
I am proud to say that Garry was one of my good friends. He really welcomed me with open arms when I wanted to assist with the Forest Hills Baptist youth group. I will treasure many great memories of retreats, including talking way into the night while trying to get the younger guys to finally go to sleep. Garry always had a way to getting the rowdy guys to listen. I look forward to seeing Garry in heaven one day.
Ben Freeman
September 7, 2008
Pam,
As a 1981 Hale High graduate, I had the pleasure of knowing Garry as he just returned to Hale. He was a wonderful man with a tender heart and great sense of humor. My sister (Doris Freeman Matal) and mother (Anne Freeman) also knew Garry at Hale High and were deeply saddened by his passing. Please know that his impact on so many lives is something that you can always be proud of.
Regards,
Mike Moore
September 7, 2008
Pam, we are sorry. Our sympathy to you and your family. We just learned of Garry's death this evening from our neighbors and good friends, Alma and Walter. Mike and Annette Moore, Eden
Marie Graeper
September 7, 2008
Pam, we are all in shock to hear of Garry's early death. Our Youth group came to know you and Garry in New Orleans the Summer of 2007. We all enjoyed getting to know you both and we will miss not being able to work with Garry again at a Missions Connect event. What a great loss to us all! Please know that we are deeply saddened by his passing and will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. John & Marie Graeper First Baptist Church Rutherfordton, NC
The Bourne Family
September 6, 2008
Dear Gary's Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Gary has been a wonderful influence on us. His knowledge and expertise will surely be missed. His kind heart and generosity will be too.
Erika Beckett
September 6, 2008
Dear Stephenson family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Garry was a great man and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
With lots of love,
Erika Beckett
Tony Bobeck
September 5, 2008
Pam, Ashely and Amanda.
Your husband and dad has played a major part of my life. As a mentor and awesome friend; who I will cherish and miss always. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Renee' & Jesse Spell
September 5, 2008
Dear Pam and family,
Jesse and I are so deeply saddened and shocked to read of Garry's passing in today's paper.
We so wish we would have known in time to be at the funeral. We have many wonderful memories of our college days in Buies Creek with Garry. Ironically enough we were reminiscing on Saturday at the first CU football game and said, "We've got to get back and try to find Garry Stephenson! Surely they're in the phone book"......Our hearts are full and our prayers will be in multitude for you and your girls.
With love,
Renee' and Jesse Spell.....
CU Class of 79 & 80
Kimberly Moore
September 5, 2008
I don't even know where to begin, but I wanted to say how much I appreciated knowing Garry. Pam & Garry were my favorite Sunday school leaders at FHBC. Garry was a fine man and I only wish and pray that I could be like him one day and that people will remember me like I will remember him. Ashley & Amanda, I can't even begin to understand how you're feeling after losing a wonderful father, but know that all 3 of you are in my prayers.
Jeremy Salemson
September 5, 2008
This was a man of great character and kindness. I will never forget the guidance he provided to me while attending Hale High School.
A great man indeed!
Gary Smith
September 5, 2008
Mr. Stephenson was one of the most positive influences in my teenage life. I greatly appreciate all he did as my teacher, principal, and friend through my high school years. His memory will live forever through all the lives he touched.
Tim Grissom
September 5, 2008
I met Garry many years ago and worked with him at Fowler's Nursery in Raleigh. We quickly became friends and I had the chance to see what a kind and caring person he was. We shared many good times and laughs together. He was a great mentor and friend to everyone. I will never forget Garry and the postive impact he had on my life. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. May God be with you and all of your family through this very difficult time.
Diane Schaaf
September 5, 2008
Our thoughts are with you at this sad sad time.
Debbie Davis Dennis
September 5, 2008
My thoughts, my prayers are with you and your family. Garry was a very kind man and lived the life of Christ as we all should as Christians. Thanks Garry for that witness. Previous co-worker.
Jane Creswell
September 5, 2008
Dear Pam, Ashley, and Amanda,
Our hearts go out to you all the way from the-middle-of-nowhere, Indiana where we moved 4 months ago. All of us, particularly teenagers, need to have a confidant, who is not a parent, to talk to about life and our relationship to God. Garry did that for many young people over the years. We are particularly grateful for the fact that Garry played that role for our children. We’re convinced that he had a significant role in their becoming fine young men. That is a very positive memory that we will cherish forever. Hope you can feel the long distance hugs that we are sending through our continued prayers.
Love,
Tom and Jane
Michelle Grubbs
September 5, 2008
Pam,
I just want you and your family to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God will wrap his arms of peace around you and hold you tight.
In Christ Love,
Michelle Grubbs
Mission Baptist Church
Leigh Middleton
September 5, 2008
Dear Stephenson family,
I was so sorry to hear the news of Garry's passing. I was a student at Hale while he was headmaster and I remember him well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Leigh Ann Williams Middleton
Lisa Richardson
September 5, 2008
Pam,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that precious memories and God's love will embrace you and carry you through. Garry will always be remembered by us at Mission Baptist Church and we will cherish the memories of Gulfport and New Orleans and the time we had with you there.
Friends in Christ,
Lisa Richardson
Cindy Olsen
September 5, 2008
There are no words to begin to express the shock and sadness I feel for you and your family. Garry gave so much to so many ministries at Forest Hills. He will truly be missed. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that the many memories you shared as a family will somehow comfort you and your family in the days to come. As Dee and Dr. Harper stated earlier today, Garry left behind a great legacy for many to follow and touched so many lives. He will not be forgotten. May God keep you close and give you strength and comfort in the days to come. In Christ's love, Cindy Olsen
Phil Barnes
September 5, 2008
Stephenson Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in these certainly hard times. Your family and ours are the same. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Gary, He was one of the kindest, gentlest, caring individuals we know. A definite leader, and careful guide that cared deeply for people, and life. We will all miss him. Please let us know of anything we can do to help or ease the burden of this great loss.
Scott Cobourn
September 5, 2008
Garry was a good friend and mentor to my son Eric while he was in the Youth Group. We will miss him greatly. Praise God for allowing to spend time with this fine man!
Lara Schmitz King
September 5, 2008
I will always cherish my memories of Mr. Stephenson and how he was such a positive force in each life that he touched. My deepest sympathies are with his family and all are in my prayers.
Flip Adams
September 5, 2008
Pam,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today. I have so many happy and wonderful memories growing up with Garry as a mentor. He helped to raise me to conduct my life with honor, hard work and to have a never quit attitude. While our lives drifted apart, he was always in my thoughts and memories. I owe a lot to him and truly feel that I would not the person I am if I had not had him in my life. Pam, you and Garry were both so special to our family at a time when we really needed a little bit of something extra to keep going.
Garry was one of those people who gives and gives and never takes anything for himself. As the recipient of much of his generosity, I would just like to thank him one last time for everything he ever did for me. Thank you Garry. We all loved you so much.
Flip
penny mckee
September 5, 2008
Pam and Girls,
He was a wonderful man. I know you are feeling hurt, confused and lost but remember the love and the wonderful things he did. Take care Ashely, Mary and I will be keeping you in our prayers. If you want to talk or cry call me. I will be here for you like you were there for us at the beginning of our adventure.
Love
Penny McKee, Ashely Smeltzer and Mary Smeltzer
Jack Stone
September 5, 2008
As the founder of the Alliance Medical Ministry, I gained a friend when I met Garry in 2003. Representating Forest Hills Baptist Church, Garry served Christ rendering many hours of volunteer service for the Alliance Medical Ministry. May God's peace surround you during this time.
Sherry O'Neal
September 5, 2008
Duane and Leilani.....I'm so sorry for your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or your family!
Barbara Martin
September 5, 2008
Dear Pam and Family,
My heart goes out to you and my daily prayers are with you as you pass through these very difficult days. May God bless, keep and comfort you. May you feel His presence by your side.
Pam, I remember you and Garry so well when you spoke for our WMU luncheon meeting. Garry gave himself completely to all that he did, and will be remembered for his dedication, first to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, then to his family, and then to serving others, and how faithfully he served.
These sweet memories will always be with those of us who were privileged to know him.
Your sister in Christ,
Barbara Martin
Beth Simms
September 5, 2008
Pam, please know that my love, thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls. Garry was such an important part of Flip's & my life and we are forever grateful for his friendship, love and caring. Beth (Adams) Simms
Caroline Jones
September 5, 2008
My heart is heavy as we all mourn the loss of Garry. Archie and I consider it a privilege to have known Garry and have fond memories of his working with us in Chile as a mission volunteer. Though I can't be there in person today for the service, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Much love, Caroline
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