Obituary of Thomas Edwin Stephens

Thomas Edwin "Ed" Stephens, age 83, of Sylva began his eternal life on Thursday, September 21, 2017. He was the husband of the late June Cooper Stephens and was the son of the late Charles Harrison and Estella (Phillips) Stephens. Ed was a member of Cullowhee Baptist Church. He was self-employed for most of his life in the development and excavating industry. His family meant everything to him. He loved NASCAR and all types of racing and loved watching his sons and nephews race. In addition to his wife of 53 years and his parents, he was also preceded in death by one sister; Mary Nell Brooks and six brothers; Kenneth Stephens, Durward Stephens, Harry Stephens, Bill Stephens, Dan Stephens, and Dave Stephens. Ed is survived by five children; Eddie (Monika) Stephens, Connie (Marvin) Brooks, Kenneth Stephens, Chris (Kathy) Stephens, and Cyndi (Gray) Farmer. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren; Thomas Stephens, Travis Stephens, Matthew Gibson, Ashlee McCall, Tabitha Stephens, Shanna Baiz, Dylan Brooks, Nathan Stephens, Kayla Brooks, Gage Rodman, Jarrett Stephens, Jake Anderson, Whitley Anderson, John Anderson, and Scott Anderson, as well as six great grandchildren; Nathanyl (Cubbee) Bryson, Paisley McCall, Madeleine Baiz, Cerenity Stephens, Lane Brooks, and Rhyan Brooks. Also surviving are two sisters; Fannie (James) Roper and Shirley (Dennis) Hamilton, one sister-in-law; Bobbie Nell Stephens, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and one special friend; Peggy Parton. Ed's family would like to give special thanks to his loving caregivers; Betty Bingham and Beth Bickerstaff along with the wonderful staff at Skyland Care Center. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 25th at 11:00 am at the Appalachian Funeral Services Chapel with Rev. Charles Dean officiating. Burial will follow in the Cullowhee Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 24th from 6 until 8 pm at Appalachian Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Cullowhee Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 148 Central Dr., Cullowhee, NC 28723 or to the Skyland Care Center Activity Fund, 193 Asheville Highway, Sylva, NC 28779. Appalachian Funeral Services is serving the family.