Mary Ellen Stephenson

Mary Ellen (Simpson) Stephenson of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at the age of 85 years. She was born Oct. 13, 1927, in Knoxville, Tenn., to parents Fred Sam Simpson and Dovie Crowe Simpson. Mary Ellen was a graduate of Central High School in Fountain City, Tenn., and attended the University of Tennessee for two years. She earned a degree in Home Economics from the University of Arkansas in 1972. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Luther Stephenson on Feb. 19, 2007; a daughter, Linda Jean Stephenson Schmidt on June 5, 1976; brothers, Dowell Simpson, Raymond Simpson, Bobby Joe Simpson, and Fred Simpson; and one sister, Mildred Simpson. She is survived by son, Kenneth Edward Stephenson of New Jersey; two brothers, Lawrence Lee Simpson and wife Doris of Powell, Tenn.; Tommy Simpson and wife Rose of Tocoa, Ga.; a sister, Nancy Garrett of Raleigh, N.C.; five grandchildren, Ken Schmidt, Kimberly Schmidt Grub, Samuel Stephenson, Peter Stephenson and Mark Stephenson as well as five great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 at Oakland Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark., under the direction of Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville, Ark. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.