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Vella Ruth Webster Stephens, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at Mizell Memorial Hospital in Opp, Alabama, surrounded by her loving family.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m., at Mill Creek Baptist Church, 21825 Mill Creek Road, Andalusia, AL, with a meal to follow.

Vella was born on Oct. 25, 1936, in Emerald, Wisconsin, to Earl and Miriam Webster. She married Barney Stephens on June 19, 1959, in Dubuque, Iowa. Barney was in the United States Air Force at that time and was stationed at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin. Their military travels included time at Tyndall AFB, Florida, Ramstein AFB, Germany, and Shaw AFB South Carolina. The family retired to their farm in Andalusia in 1976.

Vella’s life was dedicated to her family, raising her sons oftentimes on her own while Barney was away. She was a devoted member of Mill Creek Baptist Church of Andalusia and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Vella is survived by her husband of 65 years, Barney; sons Blane (Teresa) Stephens of Andalusia, Todd (Salve) Stephens of Andalusia, and Keith (Shannon) Stephens of Andalusia; grandchildren, Andrew (Victoria) Stephens, of Jacksonville, Florida, USAF First Lieutenant Clay Stephens, Matthew Stephens of Andalusia; step-granddaughter, Sheendy Panique of Jacksonville, Alabama; sisters-in-law, Lindsey Stephens of Birmingham and Pat Taylor of Loxley, Alabama; nephews, David and Paul Webster of Wisconsin, Robert (Barbara) Taylor Jr. of Dothan; niece, Tammy (Kerry) Enoch of Charlotte, North Carolina, and many other friends and family.