Reverend Richard Leroy Stephens

Reverend Richard Leroy Stephens, age 67, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, February 16, 2012 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following an extended illness.


Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm Monday, February 20, 2012 at the Oakwood Church of God. The Reverend Mike Grizzle and Reverend Jeff Long will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 6:00 pm Saturday, February 18, 2012 and Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the funeral home.


Mr. Stephens was born May 22, 1944 in Richland, Virginia and was the son of Shirley (Wise) Stephens and the late Delmar Stephens. Richard was a Vietnam War Veteran and retired from the United States Army. Following his Army career he has been in the ministry for the past 15 years. He has served as the associate pastor for the Oakwood Church of God for the last 3 of those years. He was preceded in death by his father; and a sister, Kay Stephens.


Richard is survived by his wife, Doris Stephens of Gainesville; mother, Shirley Stephens of Gainesville; daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Lamar Smith of Cumming; Shirley and William Martin of Cumming; daughter and fiancé Amy Hitch and Evan Mason of St. Louis, MO; daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Bobby Pruitt of Lula; son, John Paul Stephens of Alto; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.


Memorial Park Funeral Home 2030 Memorial Park Road Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-287-8227. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com