Gayla Fern Stephenson

January 28, 1954 - September 4, 2021

Gayla Fern Stephenson was born January 28, 1954 to Richard Pink Rucks and Robbie Lena Hitt Rucks in Kaufman, Texas. She passed away at home on September 4, 2021 with her family by her side.

She grew up in Seagoville, Texas with her many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family close by. She attended Seagoville High School and was homecoming queen before graduating in 1972. She married her husband of 31 years, Stewart Stephenson, on February 14, 1990.

Her greatest joys were the birth of her son Jason in 1980 and adoption of her grandson Elliott in 2010.

She was a founding member of the Arlington Organic Garden Club and volunteered countless hours to help create the Molly Hollar Wildscape at Veteran’s Park in Arlington. She was a long time member of the North Texas Oldsmobile Club and the Cherokee Chapter Antique Motorcycle Club. She will be remembered by her family and friends as having one of the most unique and creative spirits imaginable. She was kind, selfless, generous, incredibly talented, and could see beauty in the ordinary in ways that were inspiring. She had a love unmatched for the ocean, horticulture, junking, beading, and every stray dog that ever crossed her path.

She is survived by her father and mother Richard and Robbie Rucks, husband Stewart Stephenson, son and his wife Jason and Robin Stephenson, grandson Elliott Stephenson, brother Wylie and his wife Trisha, and sister Andrea and her husband Jim Nichols. She will always be remembered by her many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She will be missed greatly.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Roselawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in Seagoville, Texas. The funeral service will take place on September 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Seagoville, Texas.

Roselawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

1000 S. Highway 175, Seagoville, TX 75159

First Baptist Church

108 E Farmers Rd., Seagoville, TX 75159

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roselawn-funerals.com for the Stephenson family.