Jean Stephenson

Portsmouth
Jean Purviance Stephenson, 83, a resident of Portsmouth, died on March 6, 2009. Born on September 22, 1925 in Huntington, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Harmon Montgomery and Annetta Whitelock Purviance. She was the widow of James Pruden Stephenson.
She was a graduate of Mary Washington College and had previously taught first grade.
She was a member of Monumental United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, a longtime member of the choir and she was the leader of the Ruth Mayhall Circle of the church. She was a member of the Portsmouth Music Club, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Mu Phi Epsilon.
She is survived by her son, James Alan Stephenson and his wife, Sheila, of Chesapeake; two granddaughters, Paige Holleran and her husband, Jonathan, of Aldie, Kelly Stephenson Bendler and her husband, Jeremy, of Silversprings, MD; a great grandson, Jake Bendler; two brothers, Harmon Montgomery Purviance III and his wife, Elizabeth, of Wintergreen, Samual W. Purviance and his wife, Hilda, of Wakefield; a sister, Mary P. Futrell of Branchville; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Ninette P. Kirkland.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Monumental United Methodist Church in Portsmouth with Rev. Robert E. Friend officiating.. Burial will follow at 2:30 PM at Beechwood Cemetery in Boykins. The family will receive friends from 10-11 AM at the church prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to Monumental United Methodist Church, 450 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, VA 23703. Condolences may be posted at www.jtmorriss.com .