Verna Lee Stephens, age 73, of May, Texas died Monday at the Brownwood Regional Medical Center.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday in the May Cemetery with burial to follow under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home of Early.

She was born July 16, 1938 in Robert Lee the daughter of the late Joe William and Minnie Ethel Ashworth Stephens. She attended Vernon High School and later attended the University of Texas at Arlington and graduated from McMurray University in Abilene. She served in the U. S. Navy from 1956 – 1966 and served during the Viet Nam Conflict. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ. She had lived in May since 1983.

She is survived by
A Son – Joe William (Bubba) Stephens of May

5 Daughters – Kathy Rothermel of May
Susan Smith and husband Michael of Brownwood
Stephanie Baker of Abilene
JoLynn Zapata and husband Joey of Brownwood
Cindy Stephens of Brownwood

17 Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren

4 Brothers – Billy Powers of May
James “Jimmy” Powers of Abilene
Johnny Powers of Salado
Harold Powers of Brownwood

5 Sisters – Elizabeth Ann Moss of Penelope
Wanda Farris of Arlington
Linda Oats of Winters
Rita Rimer of Clyde
Shirley Bullard of Merkle

She was preceded in death by a brother, Randy Powers and a sister, Kathy Powers.