Mary "Lenor" Stephens

Mary Lenor Beckum Stephens

Wrens, GA –               Mary “Lenor” Beckum Stephens, 78, loving wife to the late Ernest Lee Stephens Jr., entered into her eternal rest Monday morning, August 16, 2021 at University Hospital in Augusta. Services to celebrate her life will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 P.M., Thursday afternoon, August 19, 2021 with Reverend George Ray Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Cemetery.

Because of the family’s respect and concern for public health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing and other safety precautions be followed.  The wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged during any gathering.

One of five children born to the late Susie Virginia Reid Beckum and the late Romie Clayton Beckum, Lenor grew up in Stapleton and attended Stapleton High School. She married young and worked as a seamstress at Wilson Shirt Company in Augusta, and later working from home as a secretary and bookkeeper for her husband’s company, Stephens Heating & Air in Wrens. Lenor loved her Lord and Savior and was a member of the Wrens Church of Nazarene, and also attended Mt. Horeb Baptist Church. A great cook before her health decline, she loved having Sunday dinners for her family. She has been described as being a homebody, who wanted to make their home a comfortable, safe-haven.  She could be found reading her Bible or talking on the phone, usually with her favorite aunt, Helen. Lenor loved to laugh and joke around—her dry sense of humor dripped with a well-intentioned, quick-witted sarcasm.  Her happy demeanor was contagious to everyone she was around.  She was happiest in the presence of her family, especially her granddaughters. The void left by her passing cannot be filled, but her generous, loving spirit as well as her memories live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.

Lenor is also preceded in death by her great granddaughter, Chloe Hardin; and two brothers, Robert Beckum and Ray Beckum. Those left to cherish her memories include her son, David L. Hardin (Marie); two granddaughters, Lynn Smart (Lee) and Mandy Cochran (Adam); two siblings, Larry Beckum (Martha) and Patty Sue Shelton; special aunt, Helen Peebles; nieces, nephews, and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jeff Amerson, Joe Beckum, Robert Beckum, Kenny Darnell, James Stephens and Brian Usry.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday evening, August 18, 2021.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Donations can be made by mail: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105; by phone 1-800-822-6344; or online at www.stjude.org/donate.