Surrounded by her loving family gathered around her, Margaret Rose
Stephan peacefully departed this world Thursday March 31st, 2022. Her
love of life did not end with her passing, it lives on with her
husband John Wesley Stephan and children; Tonya Marie and husband
Junior Bowen, Linda Sue and husband Lance Beavers, Gabriel Thomas and
wife Dina Stephan, and Zoe Aiko Stephan.

She was indeed a truly special lady who beat the odds. Born premature
in Detroit Michigan on Christmas day in 1947 at a time when there were
no special hospitals for infants so commonplace now, she would go on
in life to become a loving and kind human being, full of compassion,
and having a truly giving and generous heart.

In her youth, her Mother and Father moved the family from Michigan to
California where she and her dear friend Barbara drove Margaret’s
Mothers’ Cadillac to the beaches when they were only supposed to drive
to and from school. But they figured out how to disconnect the
odometer cable so Margaret’s Mother Leora would never know about all
the extra miles on the car – but Mother knew, because Mother’s always
know!

As a young adult, Margaret developed interest in becoming an EMT and
was soon qualified after completing her training and passing the
California certification test – one of the toughest in the country at
that time. This single act of selfless service became something of a
clarion call for her as later in life, she would go on to become a
Certified Nursing Assistant where, through many years of faithful and
dedicated service, she helped so many. Of particular note, in the
1990’s Margaret was selected for a special pilot program at Chesapeake
General Hospital for Nurses Aids to be cross-trained and to work
alongside the RN’s, LPN’s and Doctors in the ICU\CCU. She was truly
grateful for the experience and frequently spoke about it.

She was preceded in death by her dear Father Louis Frederick Kern and
her beautiful Mother Leora Mae Kern. She is survived by her loving
husband of 37 years John Wesley Stephan, aforementioned children
Tonya, Linda, Gabriel, and Zoe, and a tribe of family members to
include 14 Grandchildren; Alicia, Brian, Robert, Kris, Matthew, Brandy
& Jesse, Brittany, Josephina, Jeremy & Krista, Shranda & Neal, and
Joshua and 15 Great-Grandchildren; Hunter, Emma, Jayce, Jonathan,
Natalie, Landon, Xander, Ryan, Brenden, Carter, Milee, Spencer,
Samuel, La’Nazja, and Lazerus.

She will be laid to rest in a private service at Historyland Cemetery
in King George, Virginia. The family will hold a special Celebration
of Life in her memory on April 23rd, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Oak Grove
Baptist Church in Oak Grove, Virginia. All are welcome to attend.