JERRY STEPHENS

Jerry Holt Stephens was born in Iola, Texas to Hardie Holt and Arnie McDougald Stephens September 10, 1933. He left this life on May 10, 2022 at age of 88.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lula (Vernon) Stephens of 57 years, daughter Lisa Dawn Stephens, Sisters Mary “Bobbie” Warren and Olga Zalmanek, Nephews Steven and Terry Novak, and nieces Gina Warren and Marla Lemieux, and special friend Mary Sue Dudley.

Jerry is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Gwen and Wes Stephens of Shenandoah, Texas; Lynda and Jeff Stephens of Houston, Texas; two grandsons, Dustin Stephens of Bryan, Texas and Collin Stephens and his wife Jenae Stephens of Iola, Texas; two granddaughters, Chelsea Stephens Sawyer and husband Chase Sawyer of Rexburg Idaho, and Ms. Hope Stephens of Shenandoah Texas; one great granddaughter, Charlotte Stephens of Iola, Texas and a beloved Aunt, Ms. Vivian McDougald of Iola, Texas.

Jerry loved Iola Texas and lived most of his life there. He was actively involved in the community and served a number of years on the Iola School Board during the 1970’s. He was a lifelong member of the Iola Missionary Baptist Church, as was his mother Arnie Stephens, and he served as a Deacon for over 30 years. Jerry worked in pipeline constructions throughout the Rocky Mountains in his early career then went on to purchase a donut franchise in Austin, Texas before moving back home to Iola in 1973. He worked as a deputy sheriff in Grimes County for a short time before becoming a general contractor while also owning a busy café on Main Street in downtown Iola. Jerry finished his career and retired from a job he loved at Iola School District, where he worked as the Transportation and Maintenance Director for 13 years. Jerry loved the opportunity to see the kids each day and work with the wonderful people at Iola ISD, who he considered family. He is fondly remembered for conducting his morning team meetings on one of the school buses with refreshments of coffee and biscuits from the school cafeteria.

The Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at the Iola Missionary Baptist Church with interment immediately following at Concord Cemetery. Visitation was from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. just prior to the service.

The family would like to thank the many friends and family for the prayers, visits, and support during Dad’s illness. Special thanks to the wonderful staff of Avanti Senior Living and Lumicare Hospice as well as Ms. Paris Payne and Ms. Liz Troyer. These caregivers worked tirelessly to meet dads care needs.

Serving as pallbearers are: Tyler Cranston, Collin Stephens, Dan Love, Scott McKinney, Charles Luce and Johnny Powell.

Being the no-frills person Dad was, he requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Concord Cemetery perpetual care fund @ Concord Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 114, Iola, Texas 77861.