Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

F.Gene Stephens, age 88, of Cordele passed away peacefully at home Friday morning, April 26, 2024. Gene was born, October 6, 1935, in Union Point, Georgia to the late Fred Thomas Stephens and the late Hattie Bussell Stephens. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a sister Margaret Ginn Piotrowski and a special first cousin, Robert Stephens McCommons. Gene was a United States Navy veteran and enjoyed a long career at Chevron Oil Company. He was a longtime resident of Cordele where he raised his family and was active in community civic organizations including Boy Scouts and the American Cancer Society. He was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry and helped organize “fish frys” in support of Episcopal Relief and Development. Among Gene’s passions were fishing on Lake Blackshear and gardening. Gene is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jane McConnell Stephens of Cordele; sons, Barrett Stephens of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Patrick Stephens of Marietta, Georgia; a sister, June Stephens Cornuet of Acworth, Georgia; a brother and sister-in-law, John M. McConnell and Sue Massey McConnell of Marietta, Georgia; and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Those wishing to honor Gene’s memory may make a contribution to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 264, Cordele, GA, 31010, or a favorite charity. A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church Monday, May 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with a reception to follow in Holmes Hall at Christ Episcopal Church located at 408 South 1st Street, Cordele, GA, 31015. Gene’s final resting place will be in Christ Episcopal Church Memorial Gardens at 408 South 1st Street in Cordele.