THE WOODLANDS - Nancy J. Stephenson, loving wife, mother and friend, died peacefully in her sleep on Apr. 5, 2021 at her home in The Woodlands.
She was born Apr. 18, 1946, to adoring parents Marvin and Margaret Hampton. They lived in Sweetwater for most of her childhood, where she said she had a lot of fun with friends. She had one sister, Elizabeth Ann “Bobbie,” who named Nancy after her favorite doll. Although they were very different, she and her sister became close before Bobbie died at the age of 23. This loss taught Nancy to always tell the people she cared about she loved them before saying goodbye, as life is too short to leave things unsaid.
The family moved to Stanton, where she was on the honor roll all four years of high school. She was an accomplished tennis player at Stanton High. This is where she met her high school sweetheart, Bob. They ended up going their separate ways but reconnected in 1993 by a chance meeting at TGI Friday’s in Houston; and have been inseparable since.
She worked for Baker Oil Tools in Odessa. She and her two children, Mark and Monica, moved to Houston after being transferred to the Baker Navigation office. It was there that she met many friends, who became very close throughout her life. She retired from Baker Hughes in 1995, before joining her husband in his investigations business.
Her personality was outgoing and friendly. She loved to laugh and enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. Games were always fun, but competitive for those who challenged her. She also loved to be outdoors and to travel.
One of the most important lessons she wrote about in a journal is that life would have no meaning without God’s love, grace, and to not hold onto hatred or anger.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Stephenson; children, Mark Barnes and Monica Dorcz; four step-children; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She loved her extended family members as her own, including her four-legged boy, Bear.
Memorial services were Apr. 10 in the Student Ministry Building at The Woodlands Church.