Theodore “Ted” R. Stephens Jr., of Wilmington, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice. He was 80.
He was born on Sept. 14, 1935, in Rockingham, the son of the late Theodore R. Stephens Sr. and Clara Mae Willoughby Stephens. Also remembered are his son, Theodore R. Stephens III; brother, Thomas “Tommy” Stephens; sister-in-law, Robin Stephens; and second wife, LaVern Brown Stephens, all of whom preceded Ted in death.
Surviving are his wife, Ginger B. Stephens; two sons, John (Stephens) McCurley and wife Cyndi and Travis Stephens; stepdaughter, Deborah Ellington; Ted’s first wife, Lillian Sparks McCurley; two grandsons, John McCurley Jr. and wife Vanessa and Jacob McCurley; one step-grandson, Scott Ellington; one great-grandchild, Molly May McCurley; two sisters, Patricia L. “Patsy” Woodcock and Donna Stephens Wilson and husband Johnny; good friend, Bobby Morgan and wife Dora; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ted was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1954 to 1958 in the Air Police. He worked for a few years in law enforcement but ultimately spent most of his career working for Riegelwood Paper Company, where he retired as a master electrician. Ted loved to play golf and made the most of his retirement by playing often with his buddies.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, at Gibson Avenue Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Winter Park Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1406 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to Gibson Avenue Baptist Church, 2037 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington, NC 28403.
God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered, “Come with Me.” With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Andrews Mortuary.
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