Oma Lucy Stephens

Oma Lucy Helton Stephens, age 96 of Maryville, passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at home. Lucy was born to Ben Helton and Mary Whaley Helton on February 11, 1925. She was raised in Sevier County and graduated from Sevier County High School in 1943. Her work experience included working for; Oak Ridge (Manhattan Project); J&K Store; Tennessee Textile Mill; and Levis Strauss and Company for more than 30 years before retiring in 1987. She lived in and was a faithful member of the Pleasant Hill Church community for over 75 years. Raising her family by participating in and attending church activities was her top priority. She would always stop her activities to interact with visitors and family. She enjoyed being around her family most of all. Her greatest enjoyment was the closeness she had with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They seemed to uplift and encourage each other. Another enjoyment was looking out the window and watching her red red-bird feeder which she saw was filled with food daily. Preceded in death by husband of 71 years, James Lee Stephens; parents, Ben and Mary Helton; brothers, Howard, Kenney, Lamon, Earl, David, Delmar, and Ambrose Helton; sisters, Frances, Mattie, Grace Helton Joslin; daughter-in-law, Rolena Stephens. Survivors include: sister-in-law, Josephine Helton; sons and daughters-in-law, Horace Lee and Billie Stephens, Doyle Edwin and Pat Stephens; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jane and Don Turbyfill; grandchildren, Jeremy and Katie Stephens, Joshua and Lisa Stephens, Diana and Ken Lennox, Jennifer Qualls, Andrea Knight, Becky Stephens, Rennay Melton, Stephanie and AJ Daniels, Mary Elizabeth and Edwin Shaumberg; 20 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery, c/o Mary Turbyfill, 607 Pleasant Hill Road, Maryville, TN 37803. Family and friends will assemble for a brief Graveside Service and Interment at Pleasant Hill Church Cemetery at 2:00 PM on Friday, March 26, 2021 with Rev. Becky Stephens, Rev. Frank Mason, and Rev. Preston Joslin officiating. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Oma Lucy Stephens please visit our Sympathy Store.