## Narrative Summary of the Obituary

Mary Holland Stephens, 87, died on 21 Jan 2004 in Walters. Born in Isle of Wight County, she lived in Holland and graduated from Holland High School. She was active in her church, community, and volunteered at Southampton Memorial Hospital. She was a cancer survivor.

## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services

A farewell service was conducted on 24 Jan 2004 at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Revs. Tim Webb and Steve Bradshaw officiating. Burial followed in Colosse Baptist Church Cemetery.

## Transcript

Mary H. Stephens
WALTERS — Mary Holland Stephens, 87, died Jan. 21[2004].

She was born in Isle of Wight County, lived in Holland and graduated from Holland High School. She was a resident of Walters prior to residing at Tandem Healthcare of Windsor.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John William Stephens Sr.; her parents, John Allen Holland and Bessie Duke Holland; her brother, Clifford Holland and two sisters; Eleanor H. Carr and Bessie H. Spivey. 

Mrs. Stephens is survived by her sons, John H. "Billy" Stephens Jr. and wife, Faye of Walters; grandchildren, John Brian Stephens and Jennifer Rae Stephens, and great grandchild, Brian Shane Stephens; a brother, Raby Holland, numerous nephews and a niece. She was a longtime devoted and dedicated member of Colosse Baptist Church where she served faithfully. She taught Sunday school for many years and was a past officer in the Women's Missionary Union and Peggy Johnson Circle. She was also a delegate to the Blackwater Baptist Association.

Mrs. Stephens, "Mary Johnnie" as she was called, was also very active in the community and neighborhood, and was loved and known for her unselfish willingness to help with anything, especially caring for the sick and sharing her good cooking. She loved birds, especially cardinals. She was a past member of the Walters Homemakers Club and Woman's Club. She was active for years in the American Cancer Society and was a cancer survivor.

She served as a volunteer "Pink Lady" for the Auxiliary of Southampton Memorial Hospital for many years, earning her pin for more than 1000 hours of service. In her later years, she loved working part time at Sandra's House of Flowers, and had many devoted coworkers and friends. A farewell service of love and prayer was to be conducted at 2 p.m. Jan 24[2004] at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Revs. Tim Webb and Steve Bradshaw officiating.

Burial was to follow in Colosse Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of her son, 28090 Walters Highway. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Colosse Baptist Church, 6361 Rhodes Drive, Windsor, VA 23487, or to the Alzheimer's Association, Southeastern Virginia Chapter, c/o Brenda Redd, 818 Clay St., Franklin, VA 23851.

## Vital Statistics Summary

| Name    | Mary Holland Stephens                  |
|---------|----------------------------------------|
| Age     | 87 years                               |
| Birth   | 1916 (estimated); Isle of Wight County |
| Death   | 21 Jan 2004; Walters                   |
## Table of Relationships

| Name                       | Relationship                | Residence |
|----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------|
| Mary Holland Stephens      | Decedent                    | Walters   |
| John William Stephens Sr.  | Husband (predeceased)       | Unknown   |
| John Allen Holland         | Father (predeceased)        | Unknown   |
| Bessie Duke Holland        | Mother (predeceased)        | Unknown   |
| Clifford Holland           | Brother (predeceased)       | Unknown   |
| Eleanor H. Carr            | Sister (predeceased)        | Unknown   |
| Bessie H. Spivey           | Sister (predeceased)        | Unknown   |
| John H. Billy Stephens Jr. | Son                         | Walters   |
| Faye Stephens              | Daughter-in-law             | Walters   |
| John Brian Stephens        | Grandchild                  | Unknown   |
| Jennifer Rae Stephens      | Grandchild                  | Unknown   |
| Brian Shane Stephens       | Great-grandchild            | Unknown   |
| Raby Holland               | Brother                     | Unknown   |
## Publication Details

| Publication                 | Date         | Page   | Columns |
|-----------------------------|--------------|--------|---------|
| The Tidewater News          | 25 Jan 2004  | 8      | 3, 4, 5 |
| (Franklin, Virginia)               |
## Other Relevant Information

Mary Stephens was known as "Mary Johnnie". She graduated from Holland High School. She was a longtime member of Colosse Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a past officer in the Women's Missionary Union and Peggy Johnson Circle. She was a delegate to the Blackwater Baptist Association. She was a past member of the Walters Homemakers Club and Woman's Club. She volunteered as a "Pink Lady" for the Auxiliary of Southampton Memorial Hospital, earning a pin for over 1000 hours of service. In her later years, she worked part-time at Sandra's House of Flowers. She loved birds, especially cardinals, and was known for her cooking and caring for the sick.