Stephens Jr., Houston  

TYLER -- Funeral services for Houston Stephens Jr. will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, 
June 24, 2006, at Center Baptist Church on 309 Walnut Street in White Oak, with 
the Rev. James E. Lister, the Rev. Samuel Lawson, and Pastor F. Scott Parnell 
officiating. Interment will be in New Hope Cemetery of Kilgore. Arrangements are 
by Brooks-Sterling & Garrett Funeral Directors in Tyler. Mr. Stephens passed away 
Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at his residence following an extended illness. He was 
born September 1, 1929, in Hollow Springs Community of Gladewater, to Houston 
Stephens Sr. and Leo Lawson Stephens, who preceded him in death. He attended 
Hollow Springs Elementary School in Gladewater, graduated from Shiloh High School 
in White Oak, and attended Prairie View A&M University for three years. Mr. 
Stephens was a U.S. military veteran, having served during the Korean conflict, 
and of the Baptist faith. In 1956, he joined Alice D. Hutchins of Kilgore in holy 
matrimony. To this union, four children were born. Mr. Stephens retired from 
Triangle Plastering after more than 30 years of service. He was preceded in death 
by his wife, Alice. Mr. Stephens leaves to cherish his memories children, Lucretia 
Renee Carroll of Dallas, Quintin Roderick Stephens of Garland, Cassandra Machell 
Murray of Garland, and Sonya Devara Rustin of Garland; seven grandchildren; three 
great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Fredrick Stephens of Longview, Carl 
Stephens of Dallas, Joel Stephens of White Oak, Marie Fullylove of Longview, Mary 
Sanders of Longview, and Pennye Lucille Thomas of Dallas; and a host of nieces, 
nephews, cousins, and friends. Active pallbearers will be Kenneth Stephens, Milton 
Stephens, Joe Lewis Stephens, Carl Edward, and Mark Carroll. Honorary pallbearers 
will be Dennis Stephens, Joseph Stephens, Carlton Stephens, and Grailan Franklin. 
The family extends special thanks to the Brooks-Sterling & Garrett Funeral 
Directors in Tyler. The Stephens family chose the Rev. James E. Lister to 
orchestrate the final arrangements and have received the utmost professional 
service having done so. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, prior to 
services, at the church.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 6/24/2006.