Claudia Pearl Stephens

Claudia Pearl Gill Stephens was born in 1912 in Rains County near Emory, Texas. She passed away at the age of 101 on June 2, 2013 surrounded by family in the Ocean Springs home of her son and daughter-in-law David and Karlyn Stephens. The fifth of seven children of Claud Gill and Etta Drucilla Potts Gill, she attended East Texas Normal where she received a Texas teaching certificate. While teaching at Three League in west Texas, she met and married Clarence Stephens of Patricia, Texas on Nov. 30, 1930. Preparing for their future in the shadow of the Great Depression, they operated a small dairy in Lubbock, TX so Clarence could pursue a college degree from Texas Tech. Pearl and Clarence committed to building a family and to Clarence’s pursuit of ordination in the Methodist Church. During their shared career of ministry, they moved their family frequently from one small West Texas town to another with Pearl learning “to make their own……or do without.” Pearl was an accomplished cook, seamstress and quilter. Taking up china and oil painting late in life, she won recognition for her work from the C.C. Young Methodist Retirement Center in Dallas. Her family especially celebrates the model for living that she provided – one of faith, good humor and selfless service. Survivors include her son David Stephens and wife Karlyn; son Wesley Stephens and wife Jo of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; daughter Linda Keenum and husband Alan of San Angelo, Texas; granddaughter Nora Stephens of The Woodlands, Texas; granddaughter Keri Friedley and husband Chris of Jackson, MS; grandsons Brian Stephens and Josh Beauchamp of Ocean Springs, Jay Beauchamp and wife Monica of Abbott, TX, and great-grandson Alex Paine of Austin, TX; and by three great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Jaco, Beth Martinsen and Jamie Beauchamp. A memorial service will be held in Dallas, TX on June 22. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers of the Singing River Health System Hospice of Light and to Dr. Regina Mills and Medical Assistant Judy Zuggs. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.