T.J. STEPHENS

STEPHENS, MILLER, MASSEY, HUTCHINSON, FEIGHT, PARSONS, STILL, LOVETT

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 8/22/2002 at 20:46:51

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, December 20, l923

T.J. STEPHENS, father of MRS. W. L. MILLER, of Leon, and one of the pioneers of Woodland Township, died at the home of his daughter, MRS. WILL MASSEY, near Lineville, last Friday, where he had made his home for a number of years. MR. STEPHENS was almost 80 years of age. His funeral was held Sunday, being largely attended. Interment was in the Lentz Cemetery at Woodland.

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Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, December 27, l923

THOMAS JEFFERSON STEPHENS, third child of BRYANT C. and CHARLOTTE T. STEPHENS, was born in Adair County, Kentucky, May l7, l844, and departed this life December l4, l923; aged 79 years, 6 months and 27 days. He, with his parents, moved to Iowa in the fall of l855, settling on a farm near Woodland, Decatur County, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He was united in marriage to HANNAH M. HUTCHINSON, March 2l, l869, to this union were born two sons and six daughters: A.M. STEPHENS, of Wellsville, Kansas; CHARLEY M. STEPHENS, deceased; MRS. D.E. FEIGHT, Derby, Iowa; MRS. W.T. MASSEY, Lineville, Iowa; MRS. P.N. PARSONS, Cincinnati, Iowa; MRS. DELLA STILL, Adel, Iowa; MRS. V.K. LOVETT, Lineville, Iowa; and MRS. W.L. MILLER, Leon, Iowa. His wife preceded him to the beyond, having passed away May 24, l908.
Besides his seven children, he leaves eleven grandchildren, one brother, A.C. STEPHENS and one sister, MISS JANIE STEPHENS, both of Leon, Iowa, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure. His surviving children were all at his bedside when he passed away, and were present at the funeral.

Shortly after his marriage, he moved to his farm two miles south of Woodland where he resided until Nov., l9ll, when he rented the old home place and made his home with his daughter, MRS. W.E. MASSEY until his death. MR. STEPHENS had been in poor health for some time. He was always kind and patient, never complaining of his troubles, he continually looked on the bright side of things and always hoped for the best. He spent many hours reading the Bible and was a firm believer in God. In early manhood he was converted and united with the Christian Union Church to which profession he was true and faithful.

He was a kind husband, a loving father, a kind and helpful neighbor, ever ministering to the need of others. In each community where he lived he held a high place in the hearts of his acquaintances. His last and constant thoughts were that his children and loved ones should meet him in the land where there is no parting of friends. Everything that medical skill and loving hands could do to prolong his life, was done, but to no avail, so with aching hearts we watched his beautiful life fade away.

Funeral services were held Sunday, December l6, at 2 p.m. at the Union Church in Woodland, conducted by Rev. O.S. Talent, being very largely attended by sorrowing relatives, friends and neighbors, after which he was tenderly laid to rest in the Lentz Cemetery by the side of his wife and son, CHARLEY.

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A CARD -- We wish to thank our friends and neighbors for the many kindnesses shown us during the sickness, death and burial of our loving father, T.J. STEPHENS.

THE CHILDREN.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
August 2l, 2002