Elaine Melton Stephens

COLUMBIA - A funeral service for Elaine Melton Stephens, 78, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, officiated by Reverend Richard Burton. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. The burial, presided by Reverend Kenneth Owens, will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Mrs. Stephens peacefully died surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Born in Anderson, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Reverend Herbert Basil Melton and Grace White Melton. She was a graduate of T.L. Hannah High School in Anderson, Anderson College, and The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas. She served as Director of the Child Development Center at Riverside Baptist Church in Miami, Florida for 8 years. After returning to South Carolina, Mrs. Stephens worked in the medical profession for 10 years, primarily with Medical Park Pediatrics. She then accepted a position with Melanie’s of Columbia, serving as Salon Coordinator for 18 years prior to her retirement. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines, an a cappella harmony singing group.

Surviving are her husband, Ralph Terry Stephens; two daughters, Kelli (Al) Eargle and Ashley (Brian) Daniel; and grandchildren Starling (Ivan) Muchiutti, Haley Daniel, Jake Eargle, and Brantley Daniel. She is also survived by brothers-in-law Harry (Rachel) Stephens and Tom Locher, sister-in-law, Barbara Stephens, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and sisters, Peggy Rooks and Gail Varner.

Mrs. Stephens was a devoted and loving wife and mother, and doting grandmother, affectionately known as Grammy. Her uncanny gift of gab allowed her to make numerous friends and never meet a stranger.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the following individuals for their compassionate care of Mrs. Stephens during her illness: Dr. Chaudhry M. Mushtaq and Kitra Nichols, MSN, FNP-BC, South Carolina Oncology Associates; Lyndsey Hughes, NP, Columbia Medical Group; and, Dr. Manish Kadian, Columbia Nephrology.

Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 285, Anderson, S.C. 29622.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.