Washington's Funeral Home

The Obituary of James Dan Stephens

On Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Roper Hospital, Charleston, SC, God called our beloved James Dan Stephens from earth’s toils.  He was born, April 5, 1941, in Islandton, Colleton County, SC to the late Dan Stephens and Geneva Capers Stephens.

At an early age, James joined Toby United Methodist Church of Islandton, SC.  He served the body of Christ as a member of the Toby Male Chorus.

He was a 1960 graduate of Ruffin High School, Ruffin, SC.  Upon graduation, James relocated to NY.  There he was gainfully employed for many years as a truck driver for Bohacks Company, Brooklyn, NY.  After returning to his native home of Islandton, SC, James became employed as a truck driver for Builder’s Transport of Savannah, GA.

James, affectionately known as Uncle Man or Uncle Jimmy, always had a story to tell, making his audience respond in laughter!  He enjoyed auto mechanics, carpentry (building the entire interior of his home), and gardening (even in the front door of the home)!  James designed and sewed many of his suits.  You could say he was his own stylist.  Because of this talent, the parishioners at Toby relied upon James to shop for the pastor’s Christmas gift.  James was very generous to all with his God given talents.  And, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He was married to the former Margay Mobley.  This union was blessed with two children: Valerie and James, Jr.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were his sister, Dorothy Perch; and a brother-in-law, Lawrence Mobley.

To mourn his home going, yet cherish memories are his wife of the home, Margay Stephens; (3) Children: Valerie Jones of Hampton, SC, James (Stephanie) Stephens, Jr. of Walterboro, SC, and Tonya (Jack) Marshall-Brown of Brooklyn, NY; (8) Grandchildren: Whitney Stephens of Columbia, SC, Stedmon Love of Allendale, SC, Taurean Stephens and Deshaun Holmes, both of Walterboro, SC,  Bever-Leigh (Jeffrey) Simmons and Eric Bowers, both of Richmond Hill, GA, Dante’ Jones and Daisha Jones, both of Hampton, SC; (10) Great grands; (1) Brother, Willie H. Stephens of Islandton, SC; (1) Sister, Veta (Lee) Williams of Springfield, NY; (2) Uncles: Bishop Luther Capers of Islandton, SC and Herman Lamar Capers of Hampton, SC; (2) Aunts: Luetta Mitchell and Irene Milton, both of Tampa, FLA; a god-daughter, Andrea Mobley and a god-grandson, Elijah Jackson, both of Charlotte, NC; loved as a granddaughter, Princess Jenkins of Hampton, SC; a nephew reared and loved as a son, William “Taida” Colvin of Islandton, South Carolina; Reared like sisters: Reverend Dr. Debarah L. Smith of Hempstead, NY and Brenda Wright of Islandton, SC; (2) Sisters-in-law: Barbara Simmons of Walterboro, SC and Lula Mobley of Alameda, CA; (3) Brothers-in-law:  Andrew (Joanne) Mobley of Brooklyn, NY, Vernon Mobley of Denver, CO and Dennis (Cheryl) Mobley of Clarksville, TN; (11) Nieces and nephews: Michael, Sherron, Marc, Tonia, Kenneth, Erica, Kevin, Andrea, Tamyra,  Dennisha, and Amani; a host of grandnieces and grandnephews; Other relatives and caring friends.

The Obituary of Margay M. Stephens

On Sunday, August 12, 2018, at Vibra Hospital of Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, SC, God called our beloved Margay M. Stephens from earth’s toils.  Born November 14, 1941, in Brooklyn, NY, she was a daughter of the late Lawrence Theodore Mobley and Ella G. Mobley.

She was a 1959 graduate of Eastern District High School of Brooklyn, NY.  Margay M. Stephens was a member of Concord Baptist Church of Brooklyn, NY.  Upon relocating to SC, she became a member of Toby United Methodist Church, Islandton, SC.  She was also a member of the United Methodist Women Organization.

For over forty seven (47) years, she was employed in the Banking Industry.  Her career began with Irving Trust Bank, One Wall Street, NY, NY as a check processor for many years. Moving to Islandton, she became employed by the Community Bank (formerly the Hampton County Bank) of Varnville, SC and lastly BB&T, where she worked in the Varnville, Brunson, Hampton, Beaufort, Yemassee, and Walterboro branches. A lifelong desire of Margay was to become a nurse.  This desire was materialized as she became a nurse and caregiver for her mother, her brother, and her daughter.

She was an avid reader.  Reading a book per day was not uncommon for Margay. She explored the world, reading box after box of books!  Another joy was cooking meals for her family and during the annual family reunion.  On Sunday’s, her kitchen was known as “Big Mamma’s Kitchen”. 

She was married to the late James Dan Stephens, who preceded her in death.  This union was blessed with two children: Valerie and James, Jr.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Dan Stephens and her brother, Lawrence Mobley.

To mourn her home going, yet cherish memories: One daughter, Valerie Jones of Hampton, SC; a son, James (Stephanie) Stephens, Jr. of Walterboro, SC;  (8) Grandchildren: Whitney Stephens of Columbia, SC, Stedmon Love of Allendale, SC, Taurean Stephens and Deshaun Holmes, both of Walterboro, SC,  Bever-Leigh (Jeffrey) Simmons and Eric Bowers, both of Richmond Hill, GA, Dante’ Jones and Daisha Jones, both of Hampton, SC; (10) Great grands; (2) Sisters: Barbara Simmons of Walterboro, SC and Lula Mobley of Alameda, CA; (3) Brothers:  Andrew (Joanne) Mobley of Brooklyn, NY, Vernon Mobley of Denver, CO and Dennis (Cheryl) Mobley of Clarksville, TN; (1) Brother-in-law, Willie H. Stephens of Islandton, SC; (1) Sister-in-law, Veta (Lee) Williams of Springfield, NY; a god-daughter, Andrea Mobley and a god-grandson, Elijah Jackson, both of Charlotte, NC; loved as a granddaughter, Princess Jenkins of Hampton, SC; a nephew reared and loved as a son, William “Taida” Colvin of Islandton, South Carolina; (11) Nieces and nephews: Michael, Sherron, Marc, Tonia, Kenneth, Erica, Kevin, Andrea, Tamyra,  Dennisha, and Amani; a host of grandnieces and grandnephews; Other relatives and caring friends.