Edith M. Stephenson

Edith Melanie Stephenson, age 85, passed away surrounded by family May 13, 2021 at her home in Columbia, Tennessee. Edith was born January 26, 1936 in Winsted, Connecticut to the late Leland Harding and Anna O’Brian Harding.

Edith grew up a New England girl. She grew up in the north eastern United States and went to school to be an X-Ray tech back in the days of dark room development. She worked in Great Barrington Massachusetts and 4 years at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Edith loved living and working in the fast-paced life of the city. Not long after Edith met the love of her life Bobby Stephenson. He whisked her away to England for 3 years before returning to the states where they would be stationed in Florida and then Virginia before finally returning to Bobby’s home in Tennessee. Edith learned from her mother in law the ways of a southern woman. She learned southern styled cooking, canning, organic gardening, and embraced the slower paced life of Tennessee. She developed an interest in photography and would spend peaceful time taking photos of nature and wildlife around her property. She was a strong woman and Bobby’s Naval career meant there were many periods he was deployed that Edith was left to raise 3 children alone. She would bake cookies and prepare gifts with the kids to send to dad. She would show them a map and play a guessing game of where was dad’s ship. After her children were grown she received the gift of grandchildren with whom she loved to spend time with and take on day trips. She lived a long life with many different experiences one filled with love. Edith loved her family deeply and she will be dearly missed.

Edith is survived by her husband of 59 years Bobby Stephenson; children: Suzanne (Keith) Flowers, Sarah (Ray) Hunter, and Nathan Stephenson; grandchildren: Lydia (Brandon) Sprouse, Katie (Chester) Martin, Kyle Flowers, Ashlyn Flowers, Jennifer (Danny) Baker, and Elizabeth (Dylan) Brinn, great grandchildren: Preston Workman, Colin Sprouse, Kelton Owens, Olivia Sprouse, Kayleigh Moss, Calder Clement; sister: Jessie Harding; special nieces: Mary Kelley and Gabrielle LaClair. Edith is preceded in death by grandson: Maxwell Stephenson and sister: LeeAnne LaClair.

The family will receive friends Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, TN. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 17, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant with Bro. Chester Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbia, Tennessee.

Pallbearers are: Kevin Hazard, Ray Hunter, Brandon Sprouse, Kyle Flowers, Preston Workman, and Colin Sprouse.

Special thanks to Linda Sanford for her wonderful care she provided to Edith.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences can be given to the family online at www.williamsfh.com