Etta Mae Stephens, 90, passed away on September 29th at 4 p.m. in Van Buren, Arkansas. 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 January 23, 1933, in Liberty, Oklahoma, and was the daughter of John Fletcher Bond and Eva Mae (Sutton) Bond. She was the youngest of 9 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 9th grade and graduated as Salutatorian of her Roland High School class at the age of 16. She married Lavern Stephens on February 18, 1952, in Van Buren, AR. 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, Kentucky; Liberty, Oklahoma; Van Buren, Arkansas; Woodlake, California; Marble City, Oklahoma; and Landmark Church near Sallisaw, Oklahoma. 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, Arkansas, and daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Glenn Morgan of Muldrow, Oklahoma. Grandchildren: Melanie Parker (and Troy), Landon Choate, Kerri Tabor (and Barry), and Kristen Morgan. Great grandchildren: Austin Parker, Kyler Morgan (and Taylor), Canyon Parker, Dawson Tabor and Claire Tabor. Great Great grandchild, Nash Morgan.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 6, 2023, at Liberty Assembly of God (106119 S 4765 Rd Muldrow, OK 74948) 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.
FMFSINC.COM
I’m so sorry for your loss! We loved Brother Laverne and Sister Etta Mae!
And they loved you too! ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person to me. Growing up with her as the pastor’s wife was wonderful and she never seemed like the pastor’s wife or what I thought they were, I guess. She was kind, sweet and I never saw her with a bad word to anyone. I know your hearts are broken but she is so incredibly happy now. No more pain or sickness. My heart is with you all and I love you all very much.
Thanks for the kind words! Love you too !❤️
Such a wonderful testimony of her love of God and family. I know the Lord is holding and strengthening you and your family at this time. I love you sister Marcia.
I wish you could have been in the room and watched the angels carry her home! I’ve never seen anything like it! It was so beautiful! Blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints… Love you Sister!❤️
Marsha I have been in the room when someone left this earth only one time and that was Eddie Morgan and it was the way you just described. It doesn’t make our grief any less knowing that they are rejoicing with the saints that have gone on before them. We are selfish and want to keep them longer. Your mom was a wonderful person. I can close my eyes and see (almost hear) him playing the guitar and then singing at Fort Smith Church. Love and prayers for you all.
How beautiful heaven must be! What a reunion! Love you and your family…❤️❤️
Goodbye my friend I will see you in heaven!
Your mother and dad made such a nice looking couple. It was wonderful how they got to serve the Lord together for so long. Now it’s time for the reunion.
Prayers for the family left behind.
loved my pastors wife she was such an example to me of what a Christian should be, she was always dressed so neat and had such a sweet spirit and I can still hear her, bro. Laverne and Marsha singing precious Jesus sweet rose of sharon with Donna playing the piano such a beautiful sound maybe they will sing for me in heaven some day