Helen Marie Stephens

Helen Marie (Talley) Stephens, age 88 of Bolivar, MO died Sunday February 19, 2012 at Parkview Healthcare Facility in Bolivar following an extended battle with Alzheimers disease. Helen was born the youngest of three children on a farm in northeast Kansas on August 15, 1923 to Effie M. (Bonjour) Talley and George B. Talley. She spent her early years working on the family farm, moving to Onaga, Kansas during her high school years to live with her grandparents. Following high school she moved with her sister to Topeka, KS to find work. At the outbreak of World War II she was recruited by North American Aviation in Kansas City, MO to join assembly line production of military aircraft. While there, wiring bombardier boxes, she met her future husband Gerald F. (Steve) Stephens. They were married on July 25, 1943 at the First Baptist Church in Ozark, MO. To this union was born two sons, Mike and Mark and one daughter Meleah. Following the war after being stationed in Florida, Helen and Steve returned to Missouri to attend photography training school. In 1946 they moved to Bolivar to open Stephens Photography at a downtown location, moving to its present location on West Broadway two years later. For the next thirty-seven years they worked side by side to build a business based on superb quality, meticulous attention to detail and devotion to customer satisfaction. Through Helen and Steves work they touched the lives of families in the area, sharing and recording the milestones of their lives: new births, school photos, senior pictures, graduations, weddings and reunions. They worked as a precision team with Helen making sure everything was perfectly set and Steve getting the perfect shot. Their works hang on the walls of countless homes in the area. They were baptized into the First Christian Church of Bolivar on Easter Sunday of 1947 and have remained faithful members with Helen teaching Sunday school, bible school and serving with the women of the church. In 1985 they sold their business to their son Mark who carries on their tradition to this day. Helen was a charter member of the 20 Club and a member of the Christian Womens Fellowship, The Bolivar Golf Club, Silo Ridge Country Club and various bridge, birthday and other social clubs. In their retirement years they have enjoyed friends, family, travel, ballgames, church and home. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her sister. She is survived by her husband Gerald F. (Steve) Stephens of the couples home, sons Mike and wife Nancy Stephens and Mark and wife Susie Stephens of Bolivar; a daughter Meleah and husband Ray Larroca of San Francisco, CA. Four Grandchildren, Mary Helen Jordan of Long Beach, CA; Carmen Stephens of Bolivar, MO; Nancy Stephens of Tulsa, OK; John Stephens of Dallas, TX. Six Step-Grandchildren, Angela Modesitt of Bolivar; Anthony Wells of San Jose, CA; Ty Smith of Bolivar; Christie Smith of Dallas, TX; Brandon Baker of Bolivar; Brock Baker of Kansas City, MO; 10 Great Grandchildren and Step-Great Grandchildren, Madison, Lyla, Molly, Zane, Michael, Kayla, Madeline, Mya, Ella, and Baylee and a world of many other relatives and friends. Helen leaves with a richly deserved legacy of class, grace, elegance, beauty, devotion and love. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the First Christian Church in Bolivar. A Memorial Funeral Service for the Celebration of Helens Life will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at the First Christian Church in Bolivar with Rev. Jerry Book officiating. A Luncheon reception will follow for family and friends in the church fellowship hall. Services under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions may be made in Helens memory to the First Christian Church, P. O. Box 416, Bolivar, MO 65613 or to Southwest Baptist University, 1600 S. University Ave., Bolivar, MO 65613 Friends may sign the guestbook or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Helen Marie Stephens

August 15, 1923 - February 19, 2012