Mr. Robert L. Stephens

At 12:58 AM, on October 27, 2023, Mr. Robert Lewis Stephens passed away peacefully, just 23 hours shy of his 90th birthday, surrounded by his loved ones. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at Banks Funeral Home Chapel, interment will follow in the Liberty Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Worth County. The Rev. Danny Moree. will officiate. Mr. Stephens was born on October 28, 1933 in Tallulah Falls, Georgia, to the late Curtis Flournoy and Annie Laura Hudson Stephens. He spent his youth in North Georgia before relocating to Albany, Georgia in the early 1950's, where he completed his high school education at Albany High School. Following graduation, he pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech while interning at Coats and Clark in Toccoa, Georgia. After completing his studies, he dedicated two years to the United States Army Reserves. Returning to Albany in 1961, he continued working for Coats and Clark as a plant engineer, until he retired after forty-one years of service. Robert possessed a generous heart, deeply devoted to the Lord, and eager to share his faith. He served as a Sunday school teacher at First United Methodist Church in Albany for many years. His love for people knew no bounds, as he formed quick and genuine connections with those he met. As a Boy Scout leader for 18 years, he imparted his wisdom and skills, positively influencing many young lives. Robert had a deep affinity for the outdoors. He took great pleasure in quail and dove hunting in his younger years and maintained a lifelong passion for fishing. He also nurtured an avid interest in gardening, yielding abundant harvests year after year without fail. It was not uncommon to receive a call from him informing you that something was ripe for the picking and to "bring along a bucket or two." Above all else, cherishing time with his family held the utmost significance for him. It mattered not if you were related by blood or by marriage, he loved everyone the same. Family reunions were a great source of joy, offering a chance to get reaquainted with relatives and swap stories of bygone days. Survivors include the great love of his life and wife of 42 years, Joan Hufstetler Stephens of Doerun, GA; daughters, Lisa Stephens, of Albany, Ga, Susan Stephens of Albany, GA, Angie Saunders (Mark) of Locust, North Carolina, Ginger Sledge (Gerald) of Sumner, GA; son, Lance Smith (Michelle) of Bainbridge, GA; grandchildren, Brandon Truelove, Adam Saunders, Adrianna Salter Mclendon, Sara Burnette, Tyler Salter, Leah Marie Smith, Laura McCann, Emily McCann; seven great-grandchildren, a host of extended family members and friends, and his beloved canine, Ginger Bell. In addition to his parents, Mr. Stephens was preceded in death by his daughter, Rhonda Lisa Salter; granddaughter, Jamie Lee Smith; brothers, William C. Stephens and Sammy F. Stephens. The family will receive friends on Monday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Banks Funeral Home. The family wishes to express their deepest thanks to the dedicated and compassionate staff at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie, GA, for their exceptional care of Robert over the past year. They also extend their gratitude to the teams at Magnolia Manor in Moultrie, GA, and Phoebe Worth in Sylvester, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice House or to St. Jude. Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com. Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Robert L. Stephens

October 28, 1933 - October 27, 2023