Ona Jane Stephens

Ona Jane (Perkins) Stephens, beloved mother and grandmother, went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 16, 2008 at the age of 97. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pauls Valley. Ona, formerly a resident of Pauls Valley and Paoli had lived with her daughter and son-in–law in Moore, Oklahoma since 1995. She was born to Lee and Liza Ellen Perkins January 23, 1911. Her place of birth was on a ranch called Perkins Corner; 6 miles north of Pauls Valley and 3 miles east of Paoli. She grew up in Pauls Valley and attended the public schools. She gave her heart and life to Jesus and was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Pauls Valley by Rev. J. P. Harkins. She genuinely loved the Lord and served actively for many years in the churches she attended. She taught Sunday School for almost 50 years at the Pauls Valley and Paoli churches. She was Director and President of the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) at Paoli that she and the ladies of that church were instrumental in starting. She served 20 years in that WMU Society. With her family they became members of the Paoli church when it was a mission of the First Baptist Church of Pauls Valley. She married R. L. Stephens of Maysville and Story, Oklahoma November 1, 1928 at the First Baptist Church of Ada, Oklahoma. R. L. was the son of B. B. and Amanda Stephens. They were a farming family and R. L. and Ona farmed with them at Story and Paoli for 40 years. They made wonderful friends and enjoyed their neighbors everywhere they went. Ona and R. L. were blessed with 3 children who were the joy of their life. Bobby Lee, Jerry Ray, and Jayne Ellen. They totally enjoyed the parenting time and followed their children with great pride and interest. Ona was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, R. L. Stephens, September 1, 1970 and grandson, Stephen Blair, July 17, 1984. Other family members preceding her in death are her parents, Lee and Liza Ellen Perkins, sisters Nina Pearl, Maudie Mae, Edna Marie Perkins and Mrs. Julia Ida Lam. Brothers Roy L. Perkins and Bill Perkins. Surviving her is a sister, Mrs. Nora Ake, Danville, Arkansas, and brother, J. C. Perkins, Duncan, Oklahoma. She is survived by two sons and a daughter: son, Bobby Lee Stephens and wife Virginia of Bartlett, Tennessee; son, Jerry Ray Stephens and wife Cleone of Midland, Texas; daughter, Jayne Ellen Edwards and husband Ray of Moore, Oklahoma. Six surviving grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Ona Jane Stephens

January 23, 1911 - November 16, 2008