Henrietta Stephens

Henrietta Knox Stephens passed from this life to her eternal reward on September 24, 2020,  She was born March 25, 1932 in Raymondville, TX to Iburn and Ivon Knox. Both parents, her brother, Milburn, her sister, Frances, and her daughter-in-law Diane, preceded her in death. Two sisters survive – Robbie and Janet.  Retta met the love of her life, Glenn Stephens, at Corpus Christi High School.  They had been happily married for 65 years when Glenn passed away in 2014.   Together they raised five children: Ralph (LaRue), Rocky, Ron (Kathy), Glenda, and Randy (Christina). She was special to numerous, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Retta was “Mom” to many other young men and women.  She worked tirelessly for her family and her extended family and was always ready to “stir in a little more milk to the gravy -- because we have company coming”.

Retta was truly one of a kind and words cannot describe how much she will be missed.  Although she was a polio victim and suffered from severe asthma and arthritis, she was not a complainer. In all circumstances, she could put on a happy face. Most folks will tell you that she NEVER met a stranger. She enjoyed arts and crafts, sewing, gardening, working puzzles, playing games, and gospel music.

Her greatest accomplishments were being a loving and caring wife and mother, and ‘DeeDoll’ to her 11 grandkids and 15 great grandkids.  Her grands will be forever grateful for having such a kind and loving grandmother -- that was always there for them.

Retta was blessed by her lifelong friends, Anna Neese, Vicki Marshall, and Wayne and Susie Greathouse. The brothers are eternally grateful for Sister who sacrificed so much to care for Mom with unconditional love.  We are all thankful for the many medical professionals and personal caretakers who worked tirelessly to keep her comfortable.

As a longtime member of Windsor Park and Kings Crossing Church of Christ, Retta took great pride in her kids and grandchildren that they had a thirst for the word of God.  She always ended her good-byes with a command to “Say your prayers.”  We will, DeeDoll.

Graveside services will be at 3:00 pm, Saturday, October 3rd at the Cornelius Brothers Cemetery near Alfred, TX.  Buck Griffith will preside.  Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jason, Rory, Cole, Sam, Ross, and Will. Honorary pall bearers will be Brad Shirley and Larry Weaver.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Kings Crossing Prison Ministries, 3833 S. Staples, Suite S-101, CC TX 78411 or Sunny Glen Children’s Home 2385 W. Expressway 83, San Benito, TX 78586.

Funeral arrangements provided by Sawyer-George Funeral Home

Directions to Cornelius Brothers Cemetery

3:00 p.m. Saturday October 3 at the Cornelius Brothers Cemetery
From the Intersection of Hwy 624 and Hwy 359 in Orange Grove, Texas: Go south on Hwy 359 for 5.9 miles.  Turn left on County Road 320 (we will try to have the road marker flagged with green flagging tape).  Go 0.6 miles.  Turn right onto caliche road (We will have gate flagged with green flagging tape). Cemetery is at the end of the caliche road.
GPS coordinates:  27.8744700,-97.9782490

For those that may be coming to the graveside service, we ask you to remember that some attendees are not as young and healthy as we are.  So please help us encourage everyone to practice healthy gathering procedures for family and friends.