Paul W. Stephens

Paul W. Stephens, or Brother Paul, as he was affectionately known for the 65 years he pastored, left this world for his heavenly home on September 14, 2019. He was born April 23, 1926 in Beulaville, North Carolina.

Paul and Joy had been married for 72 years and served faithfully together in churches in Cisco, Baytown, Houston, Austin and Elgin, Texas. After retiring as Associate Pastor at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin at age 65, he accepted the call to be the interim pastor at Cedar Valley Baptist Church in Elgin, Texas and before long was called to be their pastor and served there until he retired at the age of 85. Paul took Cedar Valley Baptist Church through two building programs while there and is greatly loved by the people in Elgin. In 2013 Paul and Joy moved to Houston to be near their son, John and his wife, Allyson and their 2 grandsons. Before moving to Austin in 1982, Paul had a successful radio and television ministry. His radio ministry, "Amazing Grace", began when he was pastoring in Baytown and continued for many years. His television ministry, "For Times Like These", began when he was Pastor at Long Point Baptist Church in Houston.

Paul is survived by his wife, Joy; son, John and wife Allyson; grandchildren, Ben, Tyler and wife Hannah, great-great grandchildren Payton and Paisley; brothers, JD and wife Barbara and Charles; sister, Louise and sisters-in-law, Ann and Ciene.

Family who went on before him are his parents, Carl and Gladys Stephens, Paul & Joy’s son, Billy; brothers, Irvin and Carl and sister, Dolores.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, located at 6100 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas with a chapel service to begin at 1:00 p.m. Entombment will follow in the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery Mausoleum located at 14501 N IH-35; Pflugerville, Texas.

The family asks in lieu of flowers please make donations to Cedar Valley Baptist Church, 1905 FM 969 Elgin, Texas 78621.