Gretchen Lea Stephens

Gretchen Lea Jones Stephens was born on December 27, 1928, in Gandy, LA, the oldest of five children born to Lee and Audra Jones. She passed away peacefully on January 31, 2024, in Beaumont, TX having lived 95 years. She is survived by her son, Harry James Stephens, and his wife Linda Stephens of Montrose, CO, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Audra Jones; 3 brothers: Bo Jones, Glynn Jones, and Ralph Jones; and one sister, Joan Pilcher.

Despite being born and raised in a small, rural town, Gretchen wanted to go to the city. In 1947, she moved to Beaumont, Texas, and attended business college before starting work. She spent the rest of her life in Beaumont and retired from the Texas Youth Commission as a juvenile parole officer. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church for 70 years.

A reception/visitation will be held in Beaumont at Wesley United Methodist Church on Friday, March 15th from 1:00-3:00 in the Parlor.

A graveside service will be held in Florien, Louisiana at Prospect Cemetary on Saturday, March 16th at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart to Heart Hospice in Beaumont, Texas.