MRS. MOLLIE “MIMI” STEPHENS

Published 9:22 am Friday, March 9, 2018

VALLEY — Mrs. Mollie “Mimi” Frances Perry Stephens, 84, of Valley, Ala. passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Bethany House in Auburn, Ala. She was born on March 27, 1933 in Randolph County, Ala. to the late Alvin L. and Mary Jim Perry.

Mrs. Stephens is survived by her two daughters, Sheree Stephens (Craig) Bailey of Valley and Tammy Stephens (Randy) Reaves of Huguley, Ala.; her five grandchildren, Christopher Bailey of Tallinn, Estonia, Lindsey Bailey (Brandon) Threadgill of LaFayette, Ala., Diana Reaves of Huguley, Tamra Reaves of West Point, Ga., and Stephen Reaves of Valley; her two sisters, Donell Perry Peters and Jo Perry Reaves, both of Lanett, and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bonnie Earl Stephens; her four brothers, Bruce Perry, Verlie Perry, John Perry, and Harold Perry; her sister, Louise Perry Mitchum.

Mrs. Stephens was a member of Shawmut United Methodist Church. In her declining health, she attended Shawmut First Church of the Nazarene.

To some, she was Ms. Frances or even Mollie. To most, though, she was and forever will be “Mimi.” A nickname coined by her grandchildren, “Mimi” stuck and served as an endearing title that represented the generous and loving spirit with which she lived. Born in the Great Depression, she was rooted in gratefulness and simplicity. An unforgettable sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, Mimi spent her time working as a warper operator and tabber at West Point Pepperell, as well as enjoying home and her yard. Her garden was alive with produce, flowers, and hummingbirds. When she wasn’t snapping beans or canning, she was baking her famous cakes or yeast rolls. Later on, she enjoyed volunteering at Lanier Memorial Hospital, conducting weekly demos at Walmart, and walking at the Valley Community Center. Her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She could always be heard saying, “I have the best family.” And she never failed to tell – and most importantly to show – both kin and strangers alike that she loved them.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 11 a.m. EDT at the Shawmut First Church of the Nazarene with Pastors Tim Campbell, Bonnye Campbell, and Gerald Carnes officiating.  Interment will follow in Resthaven Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. EDT) at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley.

Please visit our website at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a condolence for the family, to share a memory of Mrs. Stephens, or to light a Remembrance Candle in her memory.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley is directing.