Edith Stephenson

EDITH STEPHENSON Jan. 19, 1919-July 18, 2011. Edith O. Stephenson lived a childhood full of cherished memories she talked about often. Born in Sheldon Grove, Ill., along with 10 siblings, what mischief Edith didn't think of to get into, her bothers and sisters did. Edith Boyd married Ray Stephenson and had two sons, Ron and Richard, whom she cherished. Edith was a hard worker, always busy and enjoying life. She loved to sew, garden, re-decorate her home and cook. She moved to Las Vegas in 1958 and lived here until after Ray died when she moved back to Illinois near her childhood home. She cherished living where she had space for a large garden and fruit trees. Everything grown by Edith was consumed, shared with family, sold on the "hard road" or canned. She had a fruit cellar built by her son, Ron, that was continually full. If it grew in the ground or on a tree, it was in a jar in her "fruit cellar." Eventually, she had to leave her farm and moved to Phoenix to be near her son, Richard, and his family, where she remained for the past 18 years. Mom or "Grandma" as we all called her, recently expressed, "I have lived a great life and I am ready to go." "Well, Mom/Grandma, we had a great life with you, lots of good times, good food, and lots of good laughs. We will miss you and speak of you often." Edith is survived by her sons, Ron and Richard Stephenson and their wives, Linda and Sally; grandchildren, Greg Stephenson, Heather Stephenson Ferreira and husband, Carlo, Katie Stephenson Porter and husband, Jeff, Scott Stephenson and Carla Ferreira; great-grandson, Trevor Stephenson; sisters, Bula, Estell, Glenna; and brother, Burl. Edith was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and "Shorty Boyd;" and brothers and sisters, Odie, Lewis, Guy, Babs, Jackie and Nelda. Viewing will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Bunker Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. N. Graveside service will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road.

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