Jerry Stephens

Jerry Ison Stephens entered her new home in heaven on Nov. 9, 2009 to be with her Lord and Savior. She was born on June 4, 1936 at Myra, Kentucky as the first child of Woodrow and Frankie Ison. She graduated from Dorton, Kentucky High School and from Fugazzi Business College at Lexington, Kentucky with honors. She made her career as a legal secretary and Administrative Assistant and served in that capacity for many years. On December 4, 1954 after a long engagement she married James R. Stephens and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where her husband joined the Phillips Petroleum Company. Later moves were to San Francisco, California, Borger, Texas and Alvin, Texas finally settling in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. During the four years at Alvin, Texas, Jerry was blessed with the birth of her daughter, Frances Anne Stephens, who quickly became her pride and joy and resulted in her decision to choose a new career as mother and homemaker in which she also excelled. After Frances finished high school and entered the University of Oklahoma, Jerry became interested in playing contract bridge and quickly became an avid, skilled and aggressive player, enjoying this social pastime with her bridge club and with others particularly at the Stagette parties at Hillcrest Country Club and the 55 plus senior center. Jerry also enjoyed the Bartlesville Symphony Society, travel to exotic places, ocean cruises, ballroom dancing and was an avid reader of mystery novels. She in addition keenly followed professional golf as a spectator. Jerry also really enjoyed her gardening and flowers as well as feeding and watching wild birds especially her hummingbirds. Jerry was a warm and friendly person who enjoyed the company of friends and was considered an outstanding hostess. Jerry is survived by her husband, Jim Stephens, her daughter Frances Anne and by four brothers including Hubert Ison of Alexandria, Virginia, Thomas Ison of Pikeville, Kentucky, Kenneth Ison of Gallopolis, Ohio, and Lin Ison of Front Royal, Virginia and four sisters including Mrs. Jill Lyle and Mrs. Ann Johnson of Morrisburg, Tennessee, Mrs. Katherine Coleman of Dorton, Kentucky and Mrs. Betty Mullins of Grove City, Ohio as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Jerry was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Frankie Ison and by one sister Mrs. Mary Hartmann. Funeral services for Mrs. Stephens will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2009 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Dr. T. Lee Stephens will officiate. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Service Details

Thursday, November 12th, 2009 2:00pm, St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery