Rena Dee Stephenson

Rena Dee Stephenson passed from this life to join her Heavenly Father on March 29 in Bella Vista, Ark. She was born in Leslie, Ark., on May 22, 1931, to Hobah and Ora Stephenson. She and her identical twin sister Demo Lee demonstrated their strength and determination early on, surviving a birth weight of 2 pounds and 2 pounds 4 ounces, respectively, without hospitalization. She attended Leslie Public Schools through high school, before enrolling at Arkansas State Teachers College with the aid of an academic scholarship: a one time payment of $50. After graduating with a degree in Home Economics, she taught school in Chidester, Ark., and East St. Louis, Ill., before assuming her role as the world's greatest stay-at-home mother to her four children in Aurora, Mo. She was a talented cook and home decorator. She was a wise Sunday School teacher, and she served on the local school board before being appointed to the Missouri State School Board. Rena was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Fowler Stephenson. She is survived by her children, Thomas Arthur Morrison (Rhonda) of Aurora, Mo., Stephen Kem Morrison (Debbie) of Bentonville, Ark., Vivian Lee Norman (David) of Little Rock, Ark., and Fowler Thaddeus Morrison (Elizabeth) of Van Buren, Ark. She is also survived by her three sisters Dorothy Chadwick, Mae McDaniel and Wordna Freeman of Leslie Arkansas, and Demo Lee Hampton of Benton Arkansas. She had nine grandchildren and one great grandchildren. She will be fondly remembered, and sorely missed by all who knew her. There will be no public service. Donations may be made in her name to her church, Village Bible Church, or to the church of your choice. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Bella Vista. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.