John B. 'J.B.' Stephens

John B. “J.B.” Stephens, age 90, of Alto, passed away on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. 

Born on September 27, 1931, in Bogart, he was a son of the late Gaynell Stephens Bailey. Mr. Stephens worked at Propes Furniture for several years where he was a piano technician that tuned and rebuilt pianos. He also worked with Fieldale Farms and later retired from Deep South. He enjoyed NASCAR and drag racing, but most of all, he enjoyed Horseshoes, in which he won the State Championship five times. Mr. Stephens was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church in Gainesville/Oakwood. 

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his infant son, Jeffrey Scott Stephens and great-grandson, Caden Tolbert. 

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law: Bonnie and Jerry Luke of Cornelia, Connie and Jimmy Shirley of Mt. Airy, and Hope and David Kelley of Baldwin; grandchildren: Josh Luke (Meg), Zach Luke (Marissa), Brittany Hanes (Joshua), Jason Shirley (Cassie), Paige Wheeler (Justin); and great-grandchildren: Lily, Benjamin, Nolan, Cooper, Cy, Beckett, and Asher. 

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 am on Monday, November 29, 2021, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart with Rev. Clarence Reynolds and Pastor Kenny Kilby officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery, 3723 Old Flowery Branch Road, Oakwood, Georgia 30566. 

The family will receive friends from 4-8 pm on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at the funeral home. 

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Bobby Brown, 3780 Mountain View Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30504 or to the charity of one’s choice. 

Those in attendance are asked to please adhere to the public health and social distancing guidelines regarding COVID-19. 

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com. 

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.