Robert Leslie Stephens was born to George Robert Stephens and Odessa Henderson-Stephens on August 15, 1946, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. At the age of four years old, Robert developed a love for music. In fact, at a very young age, he ran away from home with fifteen cents in his pocket to purchase a piano at the Kroah Music Company in downtown Muskogee. Since fifteen cents was not enough money to purchase the piano, Robert left the store looking to find another piano. He went walking throughout the downtown area where the police notice him walking alone. Robert had been missing from home for several hours. After a city-wide search, a church member helped the police return him to his family. This was the beginning of Robert’s journey in music.
Eventually, a piano was purchased by his parents and Robert began learning the piano at 5 years-old from various music teachers. He was an astute learner. He loved listening to church music and loved the sound of the ministry of Reverend J.E. Ousley. Later, he attended grade school at the Dunbar Elementary School, Sadler Junior High School, and the Manual Training High School in Muskogee. He was known for his musical abilities throughout the city of Muskogee and the surrounding cities in Oklahoma.
EDUCATION AND MILITARY SERVICE
Robert graduated from Manual Training High School in May of 1964 at the age of eighteen. After high school he attend college at Commons State College in Warner Oklahoma for one year before transferring to Northeastern State Teachers University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. While in college Robert was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces to serve in Vietnam where he served from 1966 to 1968 as a Clerk Typist and Chaplain’s Assistant. As the chaplain’s assistant he played the piano and organ for all religious services. Up until the time of his death Robert received numerous military honors as a veteran and lifted the spirits of his fellow veterans by playing patriotic songs in the G. E. Whalen Veterans Home.
FAMILY LIFE
After leaving the service Robert returned to Muskogee, Oklahoma where he worked for Taystee Bread along with his family for ten years. He later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1970. One day in October of 1972 he met the love of his life Robin Miller and the two were married. Shortly after, Robert and Robin welcomed three children to their family, Lamont, Monica, and Andrea. His three children were the highlight of his life and he spent many years volunteering at their school and supporting their extracurricular activities. He began working in work-study in batteries as well as working as a Funeral home employee as an apprentice mortician which he loved his entire life. After a few years, he moved away from Oklahoma to pursue a better area in Michigan. He began work at the Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana and remained in the food service industry until his retirement.
MUSICIAN & CHURCH SERVICE
Throughout his life, Robert was known as a talented, faithful, and anointed musician. He served the Lord through music for 50+ years. In Tulsa, Oklahoma he served as the church organist at Grace Apostolic Temple under District Elder W.H. Black for several years. In the late 80’s Robert moved to Niles, Michigan and he served as the church organist for New Vision Apostolic Assembly under Suffragan Bishop C. Burrell. After many years of serving in Niles he moved to Jackson, Michigan and served as the church pianist at Greater Bible Way Temple under Diocesan Bishop I. Combs Jr. In 2006, Robert moved to Clearfield, Utah and served as the church pianist at Embry Chapel AME under Rev. B. Hector. As a faithful servant, Robert continued to yield his musical talent unto the Lord and played at his church the last months of his life.
LEAVE TO CHERISH
He leaves to mourn a beautiful family, which include his wife, Robin, son, Lamont Stephens (Tennille), daughter, Attorney Monica Stephens, daughter Andrea Brazle (Dorcenia), Godson Javon Mitchell, five grandchildren, Nicholas, Taylor, Nya, Drake, and Donald Ray, one great-grandchild, Emily Rose, one brother, Reverend James Earl Stephens (Shirley) of Atlanta, GA, nephew, James Robert Stephens (Brandis), niece, Talesha Stephens, and a host of family, friends, and associates.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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