Obituary of Darrell Stephens

Services for Darrell Stephens, 79, longtime Abernathy resident, will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, January 21, 2013, in the Abernathy First Baptist Church with Rev. Mike O'Donnell, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX. The family will receive friends at Abell Funeral Home Sunday from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm. Mr. Stephens died in Lubbock, TX, Friday, January 18, 2013. He was born January 19, 1933 in Fairy, TX, Hamilton County, to Marvin Eugene and Thelma Imodene (Richerson) Stephens. He married Norma Richardson October 14, 1953 in Clovis, NM. Darrell loved and served his family and community in numerous ways. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was employed by the Lubbock EMS for 16 years and was the Director of the Abernathy EMS for many years. He was a 5th Degree Mason, Masonic Lodge # 1142 and served as director of the Abernathy Co-Op Gin. Darrell was elected to the Abernathy City Council, serving from 2003 - 2007 and was elected as Mayor in 2007, which he remained Mayor until his death. He was a member of the Abernathy First Baptist Church and was a very proud lifetime member of the NRA. He was preceded in death by a foster son, Jerry Wayne Hill on June 10, 1984 and a brother, Reginald Stephens, July 12, 2007. He is survived by his wife Norma, of 59 years, 2 daughters, Becki Hargrove and Rhonda Lambert all of Abernathy, 1 sister, Verna Lee Salmon of Colorado, 5 grandchildren, Linc and Ladd Lutrick, Sky Bradley, Shane Huffaker and Garon Lambert and 11 great grandchildren, Darby, Kylie, Layken, Olivia, Layni, Kamdon, Karsyn, Kole, Avery, Peyton and Maycn. The family suggests memorials be sent to the Abernathy EMS or a favorite charity.