Etta Mae Stephens

1933 - 2023

Etta Mae Stephens
Jan. 23, 1933 – Sept. 29, 2023

Etta Mae Stephens, 90, passed away on Friday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m. in Van Buren, Ark. Her final moments were spent surrounded by her daughters and son-in-law, who witnessed a glimpse of heaven as she left this earth.
Etta Mae was born on Jan. 23, 1933, in Liberty, and was the daughter of John Fletcher Bond and Eva Mae (Sutton) Bond. She was the youngest of nine children, preceded in death by her siblings, John Calvin Bond, George Bond, John (Buster) Bond, Cass Bond, Myrtle Prewett, Maude Vaughn, Anna Redden and Loma Satterfield.
Etta Mae went to Liberty School until ninth grade and graduated as Salutatorian of her Roland High School class at the age of 16. She married Lavern Stephens on Feb. 18, 1952, in Van Buren. He preceded her in death on July 7, 2012.
Following high school, Etta Mae worked in Fort Smith at the sewing factory and was an excellent seamstress, sewing beautiful clothing for her family and friends.
Her husband Lavern was a Holiness evangelist and pastor for 65 years, and together they pastored churches in Wycliffe, Ky.; Liberty, Okla.; Van Buren, Ark.; Woodlake, Calif.; Marble City, Okla.; and Landmark Church near Sallisaw. Etta Mae loved the Lord and her family; she enjoyed working on puzzles, eating ice cream, and opening gifts. She had a great sense of humor and a beautiful singing voice. She will be greatly missed by all.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna Choate of Mulberry, Ark., and daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Glenn Morgan of Muldrow. Grandchildren: Melanie Parker (and Troy), Landon Choate, Kerri Tabor (and Barry), and Kristen Morgan. Great-grandchildren: Austin Parker, Kyler Morgan, Canyon Parker, Dawson Tabor and Claire Tabor. Great-Great-grandchild, Nash Morgan.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, at Liberty Assembly of God with Pastor Andy O'Neal officiating.
Final resting place will be the Liberty Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Barry Tabor, Dawson Tabor, Troy Parker, Canyon Parker, Jonathan Firestine, Landon Choate and Kyler Morgan.
The family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Forever Memories Funeral Services, INC.