AACVFA LA Past President Shirley Stephens, 1976-1977, passed away on August 31, 2020 at the age of 84. Shirley was inducted in the AACVFA LA Hall of Fame in 2003. Shirley was the daughter of AACVFA LA Past President Grace Knight, 1970-71.
Shirley joined the Odenton VFC Ladies Auxiliary in 1952 and was a Life Member. She served as President of OVFC LA in 1969 and 1970, Secretary in 1973, and Treasurer in 1976 and 1977. Shirley was also active with fundraisers of the Ladies Auxiliary. Three of her daughters also belonged to the OVFC LA joining in the 1970’s.
Shirley was born on Saturday, September 28, 1935 in Gambrills, MD. On Monday, August 31, 2020 surrounded by her family, Shirley left us to go be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She accepted Christ as her savior many years ago and along with her husband, they raiser their seven children to be believers in Christ. She was a daughter of the late Charles Hammond Knight and Grace Elizabeth Phelps Knight. She was also preceded in death by a son, Terry Stephens.
Shirley lived in Glen Burnie, MD until 1978 when she and her husband and best friend of 64 3/4 years, James relocated their family to Huddleston, VA. She was a former employee of James T. Davis in Lynchburg and retired from Bedford County as a bus driver for Huddleston Elementary School. She was a member of Mentow Baptist Church and attended East Lake Community Church in Moneta. She was also a lifetime member of Odenton Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary in Odenton, MD. She was a lifelong sports fan of the Baltimore Orioles and Colts and UK basketball. She had many friends and family that loved her.
She is survived by her husband, James Mitchell Stephens; her six children, Vickie (Jack) Burr, Wendy (Gary) Gallant, Donna (Art) Crary, Jackie (Gary) Tucker, Lu Ann Stephens, Mike (Jo Anne) Stephens, seventeen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, ten nieces and nephews & eighteen great nieces and nephews as well as a brother, Ernest Knight and sisters-in-law, Sue (Dan) Heiny, Shirley Stephens.