Gerald M. Stephens, 84, of Jesup passed away Friday, December 8, 2023, at Hospice of South Georgia in Jesup. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Joseph L. Crumley officiating. Mr. Stephens will be laid to rest at Pineview Holiness Baptist Church Cemetery in Tifton. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Shaun Stephens, Destiny Benton, Benny Green and Brayden Benton will serve as pallbearers.
Born June 8, 1939, in Tift County, Mr. Stephens was the son of the late John W. Stephens and Crystal Etta Durden Stephens. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Myram Hutto Stephens; one son, Gerald Lee Stephens (aka Allen Lee Bijolle; his step-children and their spouses, Len Dick, Marjorie Highsmith and Hattie Mae Highsmith; three sisters-in-law; and seven brothers-in-law. Before retiring, he worked as a master mechanic; and he loved to fish.
Mr. Stephens is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Stephanie Stephens of Bristol; a daughter-in-law, Tonya Stephens; one brother, Frank Stephens of Tifton; two sisters, Marjorie Culpepper of Warwick and Imogene Cooper of Covington; his step-children and their spouses, Marie Dick, Marvin Highsmith and Marsha and Phil Lasseter; eight grandchildren, Jody Stephens, Shawn Terry Stephens, Holly S. Freeman, Gay Stephens, Samantha Stephens, Vallerie Andrews, Cleo Lott and Barbara McDowell; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sixteen step-grandchildren; 26 step great-grandchildren; and several step great-great grandchildren.