Ava Stephens

Our dear mother, Ava Marie Stephens, 94 of Bolivar, passed away at 3:10 PM Sunday, October 26, 2014 at the Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility in Bolivar. She was born on July 26, 1920 in Polk County Missouri the daughter of Harrison Needham and Georgia (Hensley) Needham. Ava was a longtime resident of Polk County and a member of the Southern Hills Baptist Church in Bolivar. On April 23, 1936 she was united in marriage to Keith Stephens in Eureka Springs, AR. To this union four daughters were born, Carolyn, Patty, Janice and Kathy. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage before Keith’s passing on Jan. 28, 2002. Ava retired from Teters Manufacturing in 1977. She worked for Commerce Bank in Bolivar until her full retirement in 1989. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, fishing and loved to be with her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Georgia and Harrison Needham, her husband Keith Stephens, granddaughter Vicki Lawrence and daughter Patty Dillabough. Ava leaves many memories to those who knew her. She was a loving Wife, Mother and Grandma. She is survived by her three loving daughters, Carolyn and Norman Hall of Bolivar; Janice and Robert Campbell of Kimberling City, MO; and Kathy Skarvan and Paul Howard of Denver, CO. Eight Grandchildren Karla Harman and husband Billy, Larry Hall and wife Denise, Jerry Hall and wife Kelli, Theresa Ross, Earl Dillabough and wife Lydia, Ray Dillabough and wife Tara, Jamie Skarvan and Karen Williams and husband David. Also 25 great grandchildren, Bailey Harman, Paige Harman, Maysee Harman, Josh Marvin, Kelsey Marvin, John Hall, Amanda Troy, Kris Hall, Hope Hall, Maggie Troy, Jamie Troy, Anna Reeves, Grant Williams, Lane Williams, Tanner Ross, Janay Ross, Dillon Clinkenbeard, Stephanie Clinkenbeard, Taylor Carlew, Tasha Carlew, Joel Dillabough, Caleb Dillabough, Sara Dillabough, Josh Dillabough, Kelli Dillabough and a host of friends. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 12:00 PM in the Butler Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 1:00 PM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Ray Dillabough officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery at Aldrich under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Friends may sign the guest book at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Ava Stephens

July 26, 1920 - October 26, 2014