Mary W. Stephens

Mary Lavonne Watson Stephens was born on April 18, 1937 in Colorado City, Texas to Harold Creath and Louise (White) Watson. Mary, the oldest of 3 children, grew up in Denver City, Texas where her love for plants and flowers became apparent when she worked in her mother's flower shop. Mary earned a bachelor's degree in education at Abilene Christian College where she met and married Irvin Glenn Stephens in 1959. Together, they established life in Roswell, New Mexico raising their four children, having careers as educators in the public school system, and holding membership at Country Club Road Church of Christ. Mary was instrumental in establishing the kindergarten program in the Roswell School District in the late 1960's and went on to have a career spanning 3 decades. She was highly involved in church-related activities, often crafting elegant wedding bouquets and floral arrangements while maintaining a busy family life. After retirement, Mary moved to Ft. Worth, Texas to help care for several of her many grandchildren. She became involved with The Warm Place helping children grieve the loss of a parent. Mary placed membership with Richland Hills Church of Christ and was introduced to the online mission program Let's Start Talking and the in-person ministry FriendSpeak. Mary met online with students in countries such as Ukraine, Germany, Thailand, and Vietnam. She first traveled to meet with students at age 65 and made subsequent mission trips to Russia, Argentina, Mexico, and Massachusetts. Additionally, Mary helped train other mission partners. During her brief time living in Lubbock, Mary was a member of South Plains Church of Christ. Once Mary moved to Canyon, Texas she became a member of University Church of Christ, became a Master Gardener, worked at the Randall County Extension office developing curriculum and gardening programs in local elementary schools, and helped design a community park and garden adjacent to UCC. Mary deeply loved teaching others. You could frequently learn by her side while tending flower beds, baking cookies, reading with her book club, playing games with family, meeting with friends, teaching Sunday school, and crafting crochet or sewing projects. Mary never missed a moment to help someone in need, encourage a new parent, or make a college student feel a little less homesick. Mary's life has been characterized by goodness, kindness, and faithfulness by the redeeming grace of her Savior and Lord, Jesus. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother Gretchen, husband, sister, Bettye Casey, and son-in-law, Gilbert Silvas. Survivors include her four children, Rick Stephens (Tammy) of Lubbock, TX, Patti Stephens of Haslet, TX, Kathi Silvas of Amarillo, TX, and Melissa Campos (Guadalupe) of Amarillo, TX; along with 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 8 great, great-grandchildren; her brother, Sam Waston (Joann) of Stonewall, TX, stepsister Debbie (David) of Dallas, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews along with hundreds of church family members across the world. A memorial service will be held at University Church of Christ in Canyon, TX at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, September 1, 2025. In lieu of flowers, Mary requested that donations be made to New Mexico Christian Children's Home (www.nmcch.org) or to High Plains Children's Home (www.hpch.org).