Roscoe C. Stephens, Jr.

March 14, 1933 - May 30, 2016

Mr. Roscoe C. Stephens, Jr., age 83, devoted husband of Marie Stephens, and a resident of Sunnyside Drive in Columbia, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 30, 2016 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Evans and Keith Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Maury Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the United States Army. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 4:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on March 14, 1933 in Hope Hull, Alabama, Roscoe was the son of the late Roscoe C. Stephens, Sr. and the late Nessie Currie Smith. His childhood was spent in Sulphur, Louisiana where he graduated High School in 1951. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he proudly served during the Korean War. Roscoe graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1958. During his college years he met Marie Ferguson. They married January 26, 1958 and were long time members of First Presbyterian Church. Throughout his life, Roscoe was an active church member, and served as an Elder which he considered a great honor.

Roscoe started his career as a manager for American Department Store in Texas and Louisiana. He also worked for Firestone Company as a logistic manager. He later represented International Shoe Company when they moved to Columbia in 1972. Roscoe was employed with Banker Systems for thirteen years where he traveled all over the state of Tennessee. Later he became a member of the Keith Baker Homes Sales Team for thirteen years. After retirement, Roscoe worked as a funeral assistant for Heritage Funeral Home.

He was an active member of several community organizations including: the VFW, the Fruit of the Vine, and the American Legion Post 19. Roscoe served as a mason in Franklin and Mt. Pleasant and was a past member of the Kiwanis Club in Louisiana.

Roscoe was a devoted family man who loved his wife. He was a wonderful father, brother, uncle, and grandfather who put God and his family above all. He lived life to the fullest. Roscoe loved to travel, dance, cook, and gather together with friends and family. He was an LSU Tiger for life, and since the Titans came to Nashville, he had season tickets for every home game and only missed a few.

In addition to his loving wife, Marie, Roscoe leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughters: Karen Stephens of Columbia, Sheri (Bill Lovan) Gateley of Columbia; grandchildren: Stanley, Wesley, Bradley, and Haley Gateley, and David Mikulay; great grandson: Jordan Reese; and niece: Amanda Dawn Stephens.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Emmie Sue Mikulay and brother, Don Wayne Stephens.

Pallbearers will be: Stanley Gateley, Wesley Gateley, Bradley Gateley, Bill Lovan, Joe Cedillo, Ron Neal, Dr. B.I. Naddy, Kevin Hutton, Jordan Young, and Keith Baker.

Honorary pallbearers will be: the Elders and Deacons of First Presbyterian Church, the staff of Heritage Funeral Home, and the past employees of Keith Baker Homes.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.