James A. Stephens Laid To Rest
The Rev. James A. Stephens, 89, went home to be with the Lord Sunday morning March 9, 2008, surrounded by his family. He was an ordained bishop with the Church of God who served the Church of God in numerous pastoral and leadership capacities. His life was given in service to God, his family, and the church.
Brother Stephens served as pastor of churches in Hamilton, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, Port Huron, Mich., Detroit, Mich., Benton, Ill., Tarpon Springs, Fla. and Roanoke, Va. He also served a total of 24 years as a state overseer in the states/regions of Western Canada, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, Northern California, Southern Ohio and South Carolina.
Rev. Stephens also served on the Lee University board of directors for 12 years and was chairman of the board for two of those years. He also served on the Church of God General Benevolence Board for six years and was on the West Coast Bible College board of directors for three years.
After retiring in 1982, he and his wife became active members of North Cleveland Church of God.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Edna Weaver Stephens of Cleveland, Tenn.; four children: James David Stephens and his wife, Joyce, of Lexington, Ky., Mary Painter of Cleveland, Alice Sherlin and her husband, Roy, of Cleveland, Judy Gee and her husband, Ted, of Cleveland; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Madie Franks of Sun City, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
A Remembrance of Life service was conducted on Tuesday, March 11, at the North Cleveland Church of God, where Rev. Mitch Maloney, Dr. Hoyt E. Stone and Dr. Raymond Culpepper officiated. Interment followed in Sunset Memorial Gardens with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were members of the North Cleveland Unity Sunday School class.
Memorials may be made to North Cleveland Church of God Missions, c/o North Cleveland Church of God, 335 11th St., Cleveland, TN 37206.
