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Lloyd Franklin Stephens, Jr. passed peacefully into Heaven on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at the age of 95. He was born on September 6, 1926, to Lloyd Franklin Stephens and Mary Louise (Beech) Stephens.
A lifelong citizen of Mendenhall, he graduated from Mendenhall High School where he was the Drum Major for the Tiger Band and Mr. MHS. While attending Hinds Junior College, he was the Drum Major and also played 1st clarinet, which gained him an “excellent” score at a state music contest for playing “The Flight of the Bumble Bee.”
Driven by a desire to serve his country, Mr. Stephens served in the United States Army from 1945 until 1947 as Private 1st Class in the Philippines. After returning from the Army at age 22, he bought his father’s store, Stephen’s Mercantile Company, and for sixty-eight years was the sole proprietor of Lloyd’s Style Shop, Stephens Squire Shop, and Stephens of Mendenhall. Due to his business acumen, he has served as president of the Mendenhall Chamber of Commerce and served on the Mississippi Retail Merchants Board of Directors.
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As a man faith and conviction, Mr. Stephens was an active member of Mendenhall First Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of Deacons, Director of Sunday School, Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee and various other committees.
He was lovingly supported in his many endeavors by his wife, Kathleen (Harvey) Stephens, for sixty-eight years until her death in 2016.
He is survived by his three daughters, Karen Stephens Milling, Christy Stephens Rotenberry, and Mary Louise Stephens King; four grandchildren, Jennifer Rotenberry Grantham (Jonathan), Rebecca Kathleen Rotenberry, Natalie Jane Rotenberry, and Matthew Stephen King; two great-grandchildren, Jefferson Joseph Grantham and Nova Grace Nichols.
He was proceeded in death by his wife, Kathleen Stephens; parents, Lloyd and Mary Stephens; sister, Annie Stephens Charles, and son-in-law, Harold Ellis (Hal) King.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Mendenhall, P.O. Box 366, Mendenhall, MS 39114.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in Mendenhall City Cemetery for family and friends with Rev. Beth Miller officiating.
Arrangements are entrusted to Tutor Funeral Home of Mendenhall.
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Thinking of you all at this time with love and many prayers. What a blessed life Mr. Stephen’s lived and affected many, we are sure. My God hold you close and give you His tremendous peace.