Jean Ellen Stephens

Jean Ellen Stephens, age 88, of Maryville, Tennessee, passed away April 16, 2022 at her residence. She was born on January 26, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of William G. and Thelma (Evans) Childress. Jean graduated from Centennial High School in Pueblo, Colorado, Class of 1952. She married Gerald Stephens and eventually settled in Maryville in 1974. They celebrated 69 years of marriage last September. Jean was a devoted mother and creative homemaker. Jean was an active member in the Blount Memorial Auxiliary for over twenty years. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and watching movies. Jean was energetic and very organized. She exercised her artistic talents in many ways: interior design, needlepoint, sewing, ceramics, and other crafts. She had many good friends and doted on her two granddaughters. Jean was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving in addition to her husband, Jerry Stephens, are her daughter, Kaerin Stephens and her husband, Dale Vinson, or Anchorage, Alaska; her son, Gregory Stephens of Knoxville, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Emily Stephens and Maya Vinson; one brother, Frank Childress, and his wife, Elke, of Pueblo, Colorado; one sister, Shirley Tucker, and her husband, Tom, of Pueblo, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life gathering will take place in Jean’s honor as opposed to traditional funeral services. The time and date will be announced. Those who wish to honor Jean in a special way many make gifts in her memory to Palliative Care and Hospice Fund ℅ Blount Memorial Foundation, 907 East Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jean Ellen Stephens please visit our Sympathy Store.