Brenda Frances Southard Stephens

Brenda Frances Southard Stephens believed in the power of a casserole, the potential of a smile, the joy of a ride in the car, and time with her beloved family. In times of joy or need, she was there for those blessed to fall under the umbrella of her love — usually with a plate of deviled eggs or a pot of chili.

Brenda passed away July 9, 2023. She was born Feb. 12, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where her parents were from, at age 10.

She graduated from Warren County High School in 1960 and from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1964 and a Master’s in Education in 1969. She completed graduate work in Guidance and Counseling from Murray State University in 1979.

At her first teaching job, in Bardstown, Kentucky, she taught Home Economics and met George Johnson Stephens, the band director. The two married Aug. 8, 1965.

They moved to Princeton, Kentucky, his hometown, in 1973, where she taught ninth grade biology. In 1979, she became the high school guidance counselor at Caldwell County High School. She retired in 1994 after 30 years of teaching.

Her husband, George, died in 2004. They were married 39 years.

In 2006, at age 64, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to be with Anna and Charlie November, her two oldest grandchildren where she delighted in doing school carpool pickup and caring for them in the afternoons. In 2009, she followed them to Lafayette, Louisiana, and in 2012 to New Orleans. She made frequent trips to Lexington, Kentucky to spend time with her two youngest grandsons, Will and Alex, and they, in turn, loved visiting her in New Orleans - especially for Mardi Gras.

She played a strong game of Rummikub and was a tremendous sports fan – of all things Kentucky, in particular. She also loved attending Saints and Pelicans games. Though she didn’t move to Louisiana until she was 69, she loved the state and its people. The Pelican State suited her with its family-centered way of life, emphasis on cooking, celebratory spirit and quirky sense of fun. She loved the anticipation of a trip and Cashiers, NC and Hilton Head Island, SC were important family vacation spots.

Brenda realized early the benefits that come with not taking oneself too seriously. She was easygoing and used her folksy sense of humor to make others feel comfortable. Her homemade Chex mix was a holiday must. (Her recipe makes a giant batch. Brenda believed in sharing.) She hosted exquisite Thanksgiving extended family meals, always with real china, real linen napkins, real stemware — not to put on airs but because she wanted her guests to feel special.

She remained a teacher through the decades, believing that you learn by teaching. In recent years, she enjoyed teaching a Women’s Bible Study at St. Charles Avenue. Presbyterian Church. She was a long-time Bridge player and particularly enjoyed playing at the Lambeth House, where she lived the last three years.

Brenda was a listener and observer of human nature. Many former students credit her for helping them connect the dots that led to a college education.

She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Stephens November and husband Peter Charles November of New Orleans; her son, Edwin (Winn) Johnson Stephens and wife Nancy Seaver Stephens of Lexington, Kentucky; her grandchildren: Anna Elizabeth November, Charles Edwin November, William Johnson Stephens, Alexander Daniel Stephens; her sister, Anna Ruth (Southard) Doughty and husband Larry Doughty of Kansas City, Kansas; her brother, David Edwin Southard and wife Laura (Burgess) Southard of Bowling Green, Kentucky; her nieces and nephews: Laura Doughty Staver, Leanna Doughty Uniak, David Edwin Southard, Jr., Anne Southard Love, Andrew Napier Southard, and Stephen Clayton Southard.

She was preceded by her parents, Edwin Fairbanks Southard and Ruth Whobrey Southard of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church at 3:00pm on Monday, July 17th and will be followed by a reception at Audubon Tea Room from 4:00-6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Presbyterian Women, St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1545 State St, New Orleans, LA 70118; or Community Disciples Youth, Inc. 108 West Green Street, Princeton, Kentucky 42445.

Brenda's Chex Mix for sharing

4 1/2 sticks of butter

2 1/2 teaspoons onion salt

2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 3/4 teaspoons celery salt

7 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon Tabasco

12 oz. Corn Chex

12 oz. Rice Chex

24 oz. Cheez-It crackers

1 lb. Pretzel Sticks

6 cups salted dry roasted peanuts or mixed nuts

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. In the largest roasting pan you can find, combine cereals, crackers, pretzels and nuts. 16 Qt. pan is ideal. Melt butter in a saucepan and add spices, Worcestershire and Tabasco. Pour melted butter mixture over cereals and stir well. Bake for 1 hour stirring thoroughly every 10 minutes. Cool completely before portioning into containers for sharing. Makes 7 quarts.