Submitted by: Dan Rich

Leroy M. Stephens Sr.

Oct. 4, 1921 - Sept. 29, 2005

South Bend Tribune 10/7/2005

Leroy M. Stephens Sr., 83, of Huntsville, Alabama, formerly of South Bend, died Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005. Services will be Saturday in First Missionary Baptist Church, Huntsville. Mr. Stephens was born Oct. 4, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo., to Leroy Earl and Vashti (Quinn) Stephens, who preceded him in death.

In 1947, in Michigan City, Indiana, he married Betty J. Madison, who also preceded him in death. He married Marty L. Coleman in 1973. She also preceded him in death. Survivors include his children, Erma (Larry) Cooper, Debi A. Stephens, Leroy M. Stephens Jr., Lillian V. Taylor, Angela (Arnold) Melancon, Herbert E. Stephens and Heidi L. Traylor; one daughter-in-law, Victoria Stephens; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Etta L. (Stephens) Cain and Ellen M. Stephens; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, friends and co-workers. Also preceding Mrs. Stephens in death were three brothers, Vernon E. Stephens, Leonard C. Stephens and Leon E. Stephens; one sister, Baby Girl Stephens; two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law and one son-in-law.

Leroy Stephens worked at Studebaker Automobiles and Kaiser Jeep Corporation and retired from American Motors in the 1980s. In the 1990s Leroy relocated to Huntsville. Mr. Stephens retired from GMAC and worked as a greeter at the Huntsville, Ala., Wal-Mart. He was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville. Mr. Stephens moved to Michigan City with his parents and graduated from Elston High School in 1939.

In 1945 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served for two years. In the 1950s Mr. and Mrs. Stephens moved to South Bend, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Missionary Baptist Church, 3509 Blue Spring Road, Huntsville, AL 35810.