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Celebrating the life of

Roger D. Stephens

Passed away on June 19, 2024

Roger D. Stephens

Roger DeWitt Stephens, 88, died Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Memorial Health.  He was a Christian (a lifetime Baptist), and a member of Bull Street Baptist Church and the Master’s Class.

He was born January 12, 1936, in Atlanta, GA, the eldest son of Benjamin H. Stephens of Atlanta and Wilma Lucille Tillman of Statesboro.  His family moved to Savannah in 1947 and became members of Morningside Baptist Church, where he was baptized.  He attended Pennsylvania Ave. School, Chatham Junior High School, and Savannah High School, graduating in June 1954.  He graduated from Southern Polytechnic State University, at the time known as Southern Tech, a unit of the extension division of Georgia Tech.  He was active in campus life and became President of his senior class. He later served as Director on the SPSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

After graduation he was employed as an engineer by the Jervis B. Webb Co – designers and manufacturers of custom conveyor equipment. He retired after a career of over 42 years. For many years and up to his retirement he was the Manager of Contract Estimating.

Roger married his high school sweetheart, Janice Anita Hart, the love of his life, on September 9, 1956.  They made their home primarily in Atlanta and the Atlanta area for over 40 years (the last 27 in Kennesaw), with a 2-year period in Lawton, OK while Roger was in the U.S. Army at Fort Sill.  After his retirement from JB Webb, they returned to Savannah in 2000.

He was a member of the Optimist Club, The Boy Scouts of America (30 years as a Scout, Adult Scouter, Committee member, Webelo Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Counselor), and a member of the North Cobb High School Advisory Council. Roger and Janice were co-Presidents of the North Cobb High School Band Boster Club and chaired many fundraising projects for the band.  He was a lifetime member of the Georgia Salzburger Society where he served on the Museum Committee, was a museum Docent and served as the museum’s Assistant Curator, a position previously held by his wife Janice until her death in 2009. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved Janice (2009), whom he shared love and life for over 57 years (53 of marriage).  They are together once more, sharing their love in life eternal!

Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, David W. and Debra Stephens of Richmond Hill; Jeffrey D. and Melonie Stephens of Beaufort, SC; Wade H. and Helen Stephens of McKinney, TX; sister, Lynn Parker (David) of Savannah; brothers, Ronald Stephens of Savannah; Ben Stephens (Karen) of Lawrenceville, GA; grandchildren, Gregory (Dana), Bradley (Cody), Emily (Will), Anna and Katina; great-grandchildren, Dasher, Arden, Evelyn, Matthew, Kanyon, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 24, 2024, at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel.

The Funeral Service to celebrate his life will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Bull Street Baptist Church with Pastor Taylor Lazenby officiating.

Burial will be in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park, where he will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Janice. 

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Bull Street Baptist Church, Building Fund, 17 East Anderson Street, Savannah, GA 31401. 

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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GUEST BOOK

So sorry about Mr Steven. He was my buddy he stopped and spoke almost every day. My condolence goes out to the family

- Stephanie Benson, security guard at Causton Bluff , Savannah , GA

We love you Uncle Roger. We will miss you. Heaven is rejoicing with angels coming home. Being with Aunt Jan, your wife who we all miss. You been such a positive influence in my life, especially last 2 plus years. May God bless family during a difficult time.

- Daniel Cowart, Savannah, GA

My Sincere Deepest Condolences to the Family of Roger Stephens. Mr. Stephens, loved, God, life, his family, pets, friends and everyone he came in contact with, throughout the years. He always , expressed the love, he had for his dear wife, Janice. Everyday, that I saw him, he was happy…. Always had the biggest smile, that, brightened my day. I will truly miss my friend. Memories of his personality and love he showed me will be embedded in my heart ♥️ forever. I know when he arrived in heaven, He called out for his dear wife, Janice. May he rest in eternal peace.

- Janice Jones Gate Attendant Causton Bluff, Savannah, GA

Mr. Stephens was one of the first people I met on my walks in Causton Bluff when I moved in two years ago. He always had a smile on his face and kind word to share. He was a fine neighbor and his presence in our neighborhood will be sorely missed. Sympathies to his family with the loss of such a good man.

- Chandler Kinsey, Savannah, GA

We already miss you. You were part of our church body every time the doors opened. We will also miss you on Thursday nights at Cancun. There will certainly be a void.

- Linda & Tommy Howard, Savannah, GA

David, Jeff, Wade, Lynn, Ronnie and Ben I am so saddened for all of your loss of your Father and Brother. I remember just like it was yesterday 54 years ago when I first met you and the kind words you said to me welcoming me into the Stephen's Family. You have been an inspiration to me of your Faith and Family as we all celebrated family gatherings, holiday events and vacations together. When I moved to Florida over 30 years ago you were always on my mind and when I saw you last July 1 in Pooler you told me you had missed me all these years and that I was on his mind also. Since then I know how precious your life was and how precious your memory will be to me until the day comes that I will see you and Jan again.

- Jerry Blackburn Sr., Jacksonville, Florida

Mr. Roger was one of the highlights of walking into our church each Sunday. His joy and love for Christ was so evident and contagious. We shared, a love of Mercer, of raising boys, of the work of engineering life, and ultimately of the worth of Christ over all. He set an example for our family in his life, and now also in his death. I pray that we are as faithful and joyous and productive as Mr. Roger was in our parenting, in our work, in our retirement, in our difficulties, and now in a death that honors and uplifts our Lord and Savior. So thankful that Mr. Roger is now face to face with the lover of his soul and the love of his life. He will be sincerely missed.

- The O’Dells, Savannah, Georgia

We loved next door to Roger at Causton Bluff, and he was the first person we met there. For personal reasons we didn’t stay there too long, but Roger was always the best friend ever. We shared some meals together, and a lot of hired yard work between us. Roger was a fine Christian man, and we feel it was a privilege to have known him. Please accept our sincerest condolences. Damian and Marie Centgraf

- Marie and Damian Centgraf, Savannah, GA

Uncle Roger was truly an outstanding example of the type of person that we should all strive to be in our lives. He was funny, kind, smart and loving. While it is sad that he has left us, we take solace in knowing he has been reunited with Aunt Jan in heaven. He will be truly missed by all of us.

- Roan and Caroline Cowart, Monticello , Georgia

Uncle Roger you are missed already! Thank you for being present in my life and my siblings lives growing up. I will cherish the memories of Stephens Family Christmas gatherings, beach family weeks and many others. Thank you for being a Godly example to us and those around you. You inspired me to participate in the Peachtree Road Race along with other races. Now you are reunited with your love, aunt Jan. Rejoice! We will see you again. Love you always.

- Kari Boykin, Winder, GA

Uncle Roger was one of the brightest lights in this world. Always with a good story about everything, he could captivate you just by being in the room. You knew you were standing the presence of greatness. His intelligence, kindness, and talents were inspirational. I enjoyed the precious times I got to visit Uncle Roger and Aunt Jan in Kennesaw and then when we all started getting together at the beach house in the summer at Tybee with the whole family. Most cherished memories of my life. Praying for Uncle Roger's family and everyone's peace of heart and mind.

- JJ Blackburn, Jacksonville, Florida

Our thoughts & prayers are with the Stephens family. Met Mr. Stephens through my dad (Hugh Helmly). My dad told Mr. Stephens we also collect nutcrackers. We had 20-25 at that time. We have quite a few more now thanks to Mr. Stephens. We have really enjoyed them over the years and have share them with nearly 100 families. Mr. Stephens kindness will always be remembered. God bless!

- Stephen F. Helmly, Marietta, GA

Services under the direction of:

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200


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