Willa Jo Stephens

Willa Jo Stephens went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 13, 2014 in Shreveport, Louisiana at the age of eighty-eight years. Jo was born on May 8, 1926 in Keystone, Oklahoma; the daughter of Verazzani Columbus ìRazî and Oza Florence ìMaî (Hill) Butler. She attended her early education at Sinnett, near Keystone, and then attended Cleveland High School, graduating in 1944. Jo was married to Lloyd T. ìSteveî Stephens on June 4, 1948 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. The couple made their initial home in Hobbs, New Mexico as Steve accepted employment with the Gulf Oil Company. They remained in Hobbs until 1962 when they moved to Cut Off, Louisiana following Steveís employment. They remained in Cut Off for a short time and moved to Houma, Louisiana where they remained for over twenty-years. In 1982, the couple relocated to Laurel, Mississippi and then following Steveís retirement to Cleveland in 1994. They always considered Cleveland as their home. Jo was an active member of the First Assembly of God Church in Cleveland for nearly twenty years before moving to Louisiana to be near her son and his wife. She was a dedicated Christian woman who lived her life for the Lord and was an excellent witness for her faith. Jo assisted in the Church in any capacity that she was needed. After moving to Cullen, Louisiana Jo became a member of the Cullen Assembly of God Church. Jo was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing home cooked meals. She inherited her love for cooking from her mother, Ma Butler, who owned and operated a cafÈ in Cleveland for many years. She often shared her cooking skills with her family and friends. Additionally, as Steve enjoyed gardening; Jo would share the bounties of their harvest with everyone around. Jo was a beautiful and gracious lady that shared her infectious smile with those around her and often seemed more concerned for others than herself. She loved her family and church family and was always there for them when needed. Jo had a special relationship with her sisters throughout the years, who were affectionately known in the Cleveland area as the Butler girls. Jo was preceded in death by her parents; and infant daughter, Sandra Beth Stephens; her husband, Steve on August 10, 2004; two brothers, Logan Butler and Bill Butler; and four sisters, Blanche Garrison, Demoia Bridwell, Katherine Greem, Charlene Curtis and Cammie Bishop. She is survived by her son and his wife, David and Nan Stephens of Homer, Louisiana; a grandson and his wife, Russell and Amy Stephens of Cullen, Louisiana; and a sister, Maxine Griffin of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Pastor David Stephens and Pastor Dan Edens officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.