Stermond Wallace Stephenson, Sr., was born in Okay, Oklahoma on January 11, 1948, for the union of Andrew Stephenson and Minnie Brady London. He attended school in Wagoner, Oklahoma, where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1966.

After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country honorably. After a service connected injury, he returned home, attended college and worked in the construction industry as a laborer.

Stermond was baptized at an early age and always professed his love for Christ. He joined the Seventh Day Adventist faith in 1984 and later became an Elder. He was a faithful member of Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Stermond met Claudia Manley and after falling in love, they were married in 1964. Three children were born from their union and they also had one daughter.

Stermond was a charismatic man and he made friends with everyone he met. He was a very intellectual person and loved to share his knowledge with others. He had a "Heart of Gold" and gave to others without expectancy. He was also quite the "talker" and was quick-witted and humorous.

Affectionately nick-named "Sty" and "Steve", his passion in life were the Lord, his family and helping others. Stermond was a very resourceful person. He always stressed the importance of an education and was instrumental in heling others continue their education beyond high school. He was active in the community, where he was a member of NABVETS and was a service officer for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. He served as Assistant Chaplin at Jess Dunn Correctional Center. He was passionate with the role he filled in Prison Ministry with the Victim Impact Program. He served on the City Council of Boynton, Oklahoma and during his quiet time, he loved to study the Bible, play chess and research.

After 66 years, Elder Stermond Wallace Stephenson, Sr., left this life for a life eternal on Wednesday morning, September 17, 2014 from Muskogee. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, a brother, two sisters and his son, Stermond "Stevie" Stephenson, Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Claudia Stephenson; his daughters, Debra Bell [Walter], Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lavonda Pierce [Ricky], Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Lisa Clayton, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; three brothers, Kenneth McClendon [Letitia], Hinesville, Georgia, Cletus Gibbs, Muskogee, Oklahoma and Rodney Stephenson, Tulsa, Oklahoma; eight sisters, Carolyn Love, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Shelia Harmon, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Candice Milton, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Eartha White, Tulsa, Olklahoma, Patricia Parker, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Rhonda Stephenson, Dallas, Texas;, Kathy Releford [Kenneth], Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Lorrine Rogers, Riverside, California; along with a caravan of other relatives and friends.

The Final Salute to Elder Stephenson will commence on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. in the Timothy Baptist Church, 5530 West Okmulgee Avenue in Muskogee. Pastor Michael Woods, Pastor of Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Church of Okmulgee, Officiating.

Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson at 1:00 PM. You may visit Elder Stephenson, as he slumbers in peaceful repose at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12 Noon until 6 PM.