Anna Lee Stephens

Mrs. Anna Lee Stephens, 85, widow of C. N. "Steve" Stephens, passed away Monday, January 7, 2013, after suffering a series of strokes. She was surrounded by her family and under the care of Arkansas Hospice. Born February 2, 1927, in Belleville, Ill., to Vicente and Josephine Torregrossa, she was predeceased by her parents, and three brothers, Nic, Mike and Tony Torregrossa. Mrs. Stephens is survived by her three children, Victoria Ann (Richard) Jellie. Black River, New York; Michael Charles Blome, and Sandra Lee (Ronald) Head all of Jacksonville; four grandchildren, Stephen P. (Jodi) Jellie, Black River, N.Y.; Jason P. (Rebecca) Jellie, Duluth, GA; W. Scott (Christy) Head; Jennifer (Ronnie) Donahue both of Jacksonville; and great-grandchildren: Kaleb and Joshua Head, Hayden and Felicity Donahue of Jacksonville, and Alexander Jett Jellie of Ga. Mrs. Stephens was blessed with Guardian Neighbors, Sandra and Tristan Luczyn. The Stephens family arrived in Arkansas January 1, 1963. In the 50 years that Mr. and Mrs. Stephens lived in Jacksonville they were both very active in the community. During her lifetime she was active in a number of community services. She was a charter member since 1965 and still active volunteering weekly in North Metro Auxiliary. Mrs. Stephens started the Right Start Program to greet newcomers to LRAFB for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. She was previously active in PTA, Jacksonville Garden Club, B & PW, Officers' Wives' Club, J'ville Lioness Club, and J'ville Chamber of Commerce. In 1980-1981 Mrs. Stephens received a plaque from J'ville, C of C, for top sales person, Rebsamen Regional Medical Center, through J'ville C of C, named her Citizen of the Year in 1995. She also received a plaque and named an "Honorary 1st Sergeant" at LRAFB. She was also a friend of Bill's. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed not only by her family but also by the multitude of friends and others whose lives she has touched. She was a wonderful mother, Granny, and Great-Granny, who taught us family values and faith in God. She was a communicant of St. Jude's Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m., Saturday, January 12, 2013 at St. Jude Catholic Church. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., at the church on Friday. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.