Charles Everette Stephenson

Charles Everette Stephenson, also known by “Steve” to his friends and family, departed this life on January 31st 2021 at the age of 87, after a valiant fight to survive Covid pneumonia. It was his greatest wish to outlive his beloved wife of 65 years, Sheila, and to spend the last days and years of their lives together in their home in Austin, Texas with their two cats, Tinkerbell (his favorite) & Devon.

In addition to Sheila, he is survived by two daughters, Debbie Ann Mossavat and husband, Mark Mossavat of Georgetown, Texas and Sharon Stephenson and her beloved, John Hamilton of Hutto, Texas. Steve was blessed by three more girls, his granddaughters, Nicholette Lawson and husband, Kurt Antonini of Austin, Texas, Jocelyn Mossavat of Austin, Texas, and Brooke Mossavat and fiancée, Thomas Warren and children, Ella and Miles of Leander, Texas. Steve remained close to his former son-in-law, Brock Lawson, and enjoyed visits with him and wife, Debra Nesbitt, over the years and in the last days of his life.

He also leaves behind his half-brothers, Johnny Stephenson of Ft. Worth, Texas, David Stephenson and wife, Donna of Wichita Falls, Texas and half-sisters, Rovera “Sis” Hamilton of Burleson, Texas and Charlene Enos and husband, Ray, of Archer City, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Steve will be missed by his in-laws across “the pond” in Norfolk, England; Bernard Traynier and wife, Liz and Ann Traynier Pope and husband, Reggie, and their respective families. Steve enjoyed the trips taken to England to visit Sheila’s family and equally enjoyed playing host with her to them on their visits to Texas. He was greatly moved to “see” them a few months ago via a Zoom meeting coordinated by his daughter, Debbie.

He was preceded in death by his half-brother, George Stephenson, his father, Charles Francis Stephenson, his mother, Alma Adele Brewer, and his step-mother, Rovera “Vera” Stephenson Goss.

Steve was born in Wells, Cherokee County, Texas on 15 September 1933, to Charles Francis Stephenson and Alma Adele Creekmore Stephenson and spent the majority of his childhood there. Throughout his life, he maintained contact with the Creekmores and the Newmans from his mother’s side of the family and enjoyed visits with his lifelong friend, Joe Doss, during the yearly Homecoming celebration in Wells. He contributed annually to support scholarships for graduating seniors at Wells High School and made a significant contribution to the building of the Wells Public Library. He graduated from Wells High School in 1950 at the age of 16 and pursued a degree in Geology at TCU in Ft. Worth, Texas until deciding in his junior year to enlist in the US Army.

He met his future wife, Sheila Rose Traynier, 16 years old, at the Continental Café on Garden Street in Cromer, Norfolk, England in February 1955 while on a pass from the 32nd Brigade School at Langham Camp, Langham, Norfolk. He said he didn’t realize at that moment how “young” she was under that big coat! They were engaged that summer and married “at three o’clock on Saturday 19 November 1955 at Cromer Parish Church…”. In the last few years, he enjoyed reminiscing with Sheila about that fateful meeting and other adventures during the early days and months of their marriage while in England.

Steve retired from the Army after 20 years, attaining the rank of CW3 Warrant Officer. He served two years in Vietnam with the Second Battalion of the 94th Artillery Regiment and served as editor to the creation of a book chronicling the history of this Battalion. He presented 2/94th Artillery Challenge Coins (Vietnam 1966-1972) to people who inspired him by their kindness and kept records of the dates they were given and the names of the recipients. Steve spent countless days and weeks away from the family over those 20 years in service to our country. He attended several reunions of this battalion and was a supporter and benefactor of the recently opened National Museum of the United States Army in Ft. Belvoir. He was greatly looking forward to visiting this museum and has a stone paver on the site.

After leaving the Army in March 1973, he “retired” to Austin, Texas and began another career as a technician at The University of Texas, Balcones Research Center, now known as J.J. Pickle Research Campus, UT, utilizing his geology training from TCU and electronics schooling in the Army. He completed his Associate of Science degree from Austin Community College in August 1977 and was one of the first students to attend that college. He retired from his position at Balcones at the age of 75 years.

Until January of 2020, when his health began to falter, he spent the last 12 years at home with Sheila. He loved her dearly. He frequently brought her jelly donuts, her favorite, and made her English tea daily. He was the family expert on the subject of the proper preparation of a good cup of tea. He loved his computer and enjoyed corresponding with family and friends via email and grandson-in-law, Kurt, was often at his side whenever tech support was needed.

Steve was meticulous in his record keeping. On his 65th birthday, he presented Debbie and Sharon, his daughters, with his memoir, which in his last days, he referred to as “The Book.” It has been utilized for the writing of this obituary.

He was the steadfast pillar of our family, he was the peacekeeper, he was gracious, he was generous, he was humble, and he was kind. He will be sorely missed by us all.