Thomas Jefferson STEPHENS

STEPHENS, BOWLBY, PARKER, BONEBRAKE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/9/2009 at 22:46:06

The Mount Ayr Record-News, 1933

OBITUARY - T. J. STEPHENS.

Thomas Jefferson STEPHENS, son of Azariah STEPHENS and Clarissa STEPHENS, was born near Gerard's Fort, Green county, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1858, and departed this life July 31, 1933, at the age of 75 years, four months and 14 days. He was the youngest son in a family of eight children, all of whom preceded him in death except one sister, Mrs. Ella BOWLBY of Beaconsfield, Iowa.

On the first day of January, 1879, he came to a farm near Benton, Iowa. After two years he moved to his farm west of Redding, where he lived until 1923. At this time he moved into Redding where he lived the remainder of his life.

In August, 1892, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth PARKER. To this union six children were born: W. Emmett who died in infancy, James Leroy and Lester M. of Redding, Iowa, Thomas J. of Johnstown, Colo., Mrs. Avis BONEBRAKE of Des Moines, Iowa, and Lela at home.

Besides his wife and children he leaves to mourn his departure one sister, seven grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. He will be remembered as a kind and loving husband and father and a respected citizen.

CARD OF THANKS.

We wish to express our gratitude and heart-felt thanks for the kindness shown us during our bereavement. We also wish to express our appreciation of the many beautiful flowers.

- Mrs. T. J. STEPHENS and children.

NOTE: Clarissa STEPHENS, Stacy's mother, was born on August 8, 1826, and died at the age of 74 years, 2 months and 17 days on October 25, 1900. Azariah STEPHENS, Stacy's father was born in 1821, and died at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 29 days on October 29, 1902. They were interred at Fairview Cemetery near Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Thomas' wife Elizabeth "Lizzie" (PARKER) STEPHENS was born in 1867, and died in 1953. They were interred at Fairview Cemetey. Of T. J. and Lizzie STEPHENS' children:
W. Emmett STEPHENS was born September 22, 1893, and died October 24, 1893;
James Leroy STEPHENS was born in 1894, and died June 1, 1939;
Avis (STEPHENS) BONEBRAKE was born in 1899, and died in 1950, wife of Willard F. BONEBRAKE (1899-1980);
Lela B. STEPHENS was born in 1896, and died in 1972; Lester M. STEPHENS was born in 1902 and died in 1955. They were all interred at Fairview Cemetery.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008