Howard Clay

Stephens

Howard Clay Stephens, 80, departed this earthly life on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Grenada Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. He was born on June 11, 1944, to the union of Howard D. "Billy" Stephens and Lucille Gladney of Reid, Mississippi. He was the youngest of six children conceived from this union, and the only sibling to receive a high school diploma. He attended Bruce Elementary School in his early years in Bruce, Mississippi, but later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962.

Howard was a member of Jackson Chapel M. B. Church. He could be a kind person at times, but also very stubborn and blunt. He was straight-forward and tender-minded depending on the seriousness of the subject. He was not one for making small talk. He would always think before speaking, however, often times the recipient should brace oneself for whatever comes out.

Howard was united in holy matrimony with Mildred Thompson and this union was blessed with three children, Howard "Ken", Curtis, and Kim Stephens. Howard was united in holy matrimony with Jessie Lee Harris and this union was blessed with one child, Tamica Stephens. Howard retired from his position as a Board-Edge Supervisor at Weyerhaeuser in Bruce, Mississippi, after working there for over thirty years. Cooking and grilling were his love language. He would cook for family reunions and Weyerhaeuser employees.

He loved fishing, hunting, family gatherings, and watching sports, especially football, basketball, and baseball. His favorite football team was the Green Bay Packers. His favorite basketball players were Kobe Bryant and Steph Curry, and he absolutely loved the Atlanta Braves. His favorite TV shows were Westerns, Walker Texas Ranger, and In the Heat of the Night. He will be missed by many.

Howard leaves to cherish his fond and loving memories, three daughters, Stacy Burrell and Toni Carter, both of Milwaukee, WI, and Tamica Stephens of Bruce, MS; two bonus daughters, Celinn Harris and Celia Richardson, both of Jackson, MS; three sons, Howard "Ken" Stephens of Jackson, TN, Andre Carter of Milwaukee, WI, and Sean Reynolds of Chicago, IL; one sister, MaLesia Griffin-Harris of Houlka, MS; 31 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom he loved and who loved him back.

Howard is preceded in death by his mother and father, Lucille Gladney-Stephens and Howard D. Stephens; wife, Jessie Lee Harris-Stephens; two daughters, Kim Stephens and Jacquelyn Carter; one son, Curtis Stephens; seven sisters, Mable Stephens- Tuggle, Bessie Witherspoon, Willie Jean Smith, Etta "Essie Dean" Stephens, Anna Frances Gladney-McCaleb, Dottie Sue Gladney- Moore, and Betty Sue Ross; two brothers, Marshall Eddie Stephens and Franklin "Sonny" Roosevelt Ross; a grandson, Curtis Stephens, Jr.; and a great-granddaughter, Ja'elle Carter.