Tributes

Stephens, Carl Lee, I “Curley”, age 74 of Big Grave Creek, Moundsville, WV took the journey to be with God on January 23, 2009 at Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Glen Dale, WV. He was born at home January 29, 1934 in Moundsville, to John Henry and Bertha Laura Taylor Stephens. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict; serving his country in the US Navy from December 2, 1951 to December 23, 1954; where he earned the Korean Medal, the United Nations Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal; a employee of Bayer Chemical Co. from which he retired on September 15, 1996; a member of American Legion Post #3, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 437, and Eagles Aerie 499, where he served as a trustee. He was an avid hunter and fisherman; and was a horse trader in his spare time for many years. He was a true American Patriot and for 7 years sponsored POW-MIA Recognition Days on his farm; which the Vietnam Veterans nicknamed “LZ Cadillac Ranch”. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Henry Stephens, Jr.; and sisters, Barbara Ellen Stephens and Helen Nora Cook. Survivors include his wife, Rita Rae Tyler Stephens with whom he was united in marriage to on March 2, 1956; six children, Beverly Ann Yost of Moundsville, Betty Lynn (Kevin) Parr of Beallsville, Ohio, Carl Lee Stephens, II of Moundsville, Belinda Rae (Mark) Carney of Moundsville, John Harold Stephens of Moundsville, and Bettina Joy (Thomas) Pickering of Benwood; two sisters, Mary Lou “Osie” Kelly of Marietta, Ohio, and Bertha Sue Riggs of Moundsville; nineteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. There will be no visitation. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date to be announced. “I give you this one thought to keep, I am with you still, I do not sleep, I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain, when you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the soft stars that shine at night, do not think of me as gone, I am with you still, in each new dawn. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Easter Seals, 1305 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003. Arrangements by Grisell Funeral Home & Crematory,l Moundsville.