Junior Barnett Stephens, 95, of Lula, Georgia, passed on to Heaven on Saturday, August 17, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, surrounded by his family.
Junior was the son of Lando and Sally Edmonds Stephens and was born in Stephens County, Georgia. He was the 9th of 10 children.
Junior was drafted into the United States Army in 1950 and rose to the rank of sergeant. He served during the Korean Conflict and was wounded in battle. He was awarded the Purple Heart or The Badge of Military Merit. He also served in the United States Army Reserves.
Junior married Ethel Maney of Hayesville, North Carolina, on September 25, 1952, and went on to welcome six children: Betty, Mae, Grace, Jerry, Bernice, and Brenda Sue.
Junior dedicated much of his time and hard work as a doffer at The New Holland Cotton Mill, retiring from the Milligan Mill after 47 years of service. He also enjoyed planting and harvesting two to four vegetable gardens every year.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lando and Sally Stephens; his loving wife, Ethel Maney Stephens; each of his nine brothers and sisters: Fred, Grady, JD, Edgar, Ralph, and Jack Stephens, Grace Carter, Mae Heimberger, and Bernice Armour; and two children, son Jerry Stephens and infant daughter Brenda Sue Stephens.
Junior is survived by his daughters Betty Turpin (Roy) of Gillsville, Georgia, Mae Stewart of Lula, Georgia, Grace Hardy of Lula, Georgia, and Bernice Hatcher of Baldwin, Georgia. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Sandy Salyers, Chris Turpin, Traci Holloway, Crystal Roach, Robby Swain, April Kalaj, Jay Hawkins, Adam Hatcher, Haleigh Bridges, and Hannah Hatcher, 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., under the direction of Reverand Bobby Griffin. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetary in Lula, Georgia, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Grant Reeves Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel, 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-7123.
