Lehman Ivy Stephens, 84 years of age, left this world on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 6:08 PM. He was born February 28th, 1940m in the Elgin, Arkansas community. He was born to Thomas Franklin Stephens and Lula Bell (Swindle) Stephens.
Lehman attended Tuckerman, Arkansas school and then joined the Arkansas National Guard on November 7th, 1957, at 17 years old. He served his 6 months of active duty at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas.
He worked several jobs in Arkansas and at Farmall in Illinois. In Little Rock, he took a test for a meat inspection position with the State Health Department and worked all around the state of Arkansas for 10 years. The USDA or United States Department of Agriculture, offered him a position as meat inspector for the government and he worked there and retired after 20 years in February 2001.
Lehman was in the military reserves and spent many years traveling all over the world. On one tour of duty, he spent 15 days in South Korea and while there he was lucky enough to stay across the street from his son Bobby, who was stationed there while in the Air Force doing his 1-year required tour at the same time.
Lehman spent his tours in many countries, which included: Japan, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Panama. He also had a tour of Europe. While there he visited France, the Black Forest in Germany, Holland, and Austria. He was in Paris, France in the 1980s when during a big air show a plane crashed going into the crowd. He had been there but chose to leave early to get a slice of the famous $7.50 French Cheesecake. The plane crashed pretty much where he had been standing. The cheesecake saved his life. He also helped during the Cuban Uprising, of the immigration issue to the United States, in the 1980s.
Lehman retired from the National Guard in 1999. He retired from the Military Police National Guard with his last tour being in Panama in 2000. He retired with the rank of Sergeant.
He loved to ride horses. He hunted with his wife, Bonnie, for decades in Arkansas, Missouri, and Colorado. They hunted until both were no longer able. Both were classed as expert shooters, and both served in Missouri as reserve officers on horse. Some of his greatest joys were shooting skeet, archery, and bowling. He once bowled a 744 series, and it made his day!! Also, in his younger adult years, he did Judo and Jujitsu. He played some baseball and softball and was also a softball coach for the women’s team that his wife and oldest daughter were members of. He was also an umpire from time to time as needed.
Lehman was a member of the Harrison Street Church of Christ in Batesville, Arkansas for many years and later chose to start attending the Quail Valley Church of Christ in Batesville, where he attended until his death.
Lehman was a very generous man and would help anyone if he could. He faithfully donated to the Boy’s Home and he and Bonnie faithfully donated to the Children’s Homes for many years, as well as donating to other charitable organizations.
Lehman leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Bonnie (Cossey) Stephens of Batesville, Arkansas. He also leaves behind 3 children. His son Bobby Dale Stephens (wife Mary), of Melbourne, Florida. His oldest daughter, Karen Sue “Susie” Sapp (husband Doug), of Newport, Arkansas, and his youngest child Brenda Kaye Manley of Batesville, Arkansas. He also leaves behind his sole remaining sibling, his brother Frank Stephens, of Illinois.
He has 3 grandchildren. The oldest is Jamie Lynn (McLelland) Stearns (husband Jeff) of Bryant, Arkansas. Brian Keith McLelland (wife Amy), of the Fayetteville/Rogers, Arkansas area. Ashley Nicole Stephens (fiancé Cade), of Batesville, Arkansas.
Lehman also has 4 great-granddaughters. Parker Elizabeth Stearns and her sisters, Caroline Grace. Bobbi Jean McLelland and her sister, Charlie Faye.
Lehman loved God and he loved his family and friends. He will be missed but we know that he is in a better place and no longer sick or in pain.
There will be a Visitation held at Willis Funeral Service Chapel on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 9 AM. The funeral service will follow at 10 AM. The interment will be at Bethel Cemetery in Charlotte, AR. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jason Smotherman, Paul Sellers, Mile Sellers, Eddie Bennett, Wayne Cossey, and Josh Gilmore. Honorary Pallbearers are Fred Arnold from Texas, John Casteel from Diaz, Sam Wells from Jonesboro, and Jules Dilday from Memphis.
The following poem says it all. The poem is called “Miss Me But Let Me Go” by Christina Rossetti.
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set me free
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little-built not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me- but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone
It’s all a part of the Masters plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
Bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss Me—But Let Me Go.
