Alston, GA.,

John Stephens, Ph.D., age 69, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2016 in the Community Hospice House in Vidalia, after an extended illness.  Dr. Stephens was a 1964 graduate of Montgomery County High School.  He earned an Associate degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Georgia, and his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Public Administration.  He was employed as a science teacher at Toombs Central High School upon graduating from UGA and later he was employed by The University of Georgia Extension Service for thirty years, and served in the following positions:  Assistant County Director in Toombs County, County Director in Johnson County, (where he served as Chairman of the Bicentennial Committee), County Director in Appling County, District Agent in Agriculture in Statesboro, Director of The Rural Development Center in Tifton, and retired as Cotton Agronomist in southeast Georgia.  After retiring, he became a successful cotton farmer.  Dr. Stephens served in The Georgia Army National Guard and retired with twenty-six years service with the rank of Major. 

Dr. Stephens served the community and continued to give advice and support to local farmers in the area.  He was a member of the Board and served as Chairman of the Southeast Georgia Technical College and the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce.  He also served on the Board for the Georgia Aviation Technical College, and was a member of the Board for Staplcotn Marketing Cooperative. 

He was an avid fisherman and a master craftsman at building fishing boats.  He enjoyed flying and held both fixed wing and rotary pilot’s licenses.  He was a devoted chess player. 

Dr. Stephens was the son of the late Dorothy and Roy Stephens; grandson of John Quincey and Minnie Stephens, and Gussie and Will Sharpe.  Dr. Stephens is survived by his wife of 39 years, Deborah McLendon Stephens, his sister Dr. Martha Staples and husband Glen of Jackson, Ga; a niece Rhee Staples Ivey; a nephew, Ryan Staples; grandniece, Gracie Staples; and several cousins.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 3rd at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Reverend Wayne McDaniel and Pastor Reece Mincey officiating.  Burial will follow in Sharpe Cemetery near Alston with military honors. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Red Bluff Baptist Church, C/O Janet P. Oxford, 538 Red Bluff Church Road, Soperton GA 30457, or the McGregor Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 215, Mt. Vernon GA 30445.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Stephen Tiley and his staff; Regents University Hospital staff, Trell and Rico Phillips,  Vernell Johnson, Community Hospice staff, and friends for the care given during his illness.

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