Jerry Stephenson

Canton – Jerry Howard Stephenson, 79, went to be with his heavenly Father on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at Silver Bluff Nursing Home after an extended illness.

Jerry was a native and resident of Haywood and Henderson Counties, except for time spent in service, and a son of the late Rufus Lee and Virginia Edith Fuller Stephenson.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Conard Stephenson and brother, Roy Lee Stephenson.

He proudly served his country with the United States Air Force during the Cold War.  Jerry received his associate degree from Blue Ridge Technical College in 1979 and was employed with Dupont for 32 years.  He was a faithful church member of New Covenant Church until his health prevented him from attending.  Jerry loved woodworking and making things such as furniture, signs, and nic-naks.  He was very handy being able to do most anything and was affectionately called “Mr. Fix It”. Jerry loved traveling and especially going to the beach.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Carolyn Lovin Stephenson; two daughters, Kellie Bell (Billy) of Hendersonville and Dawn Kelley (George), of Hickory; two sons, Steve Kelley (Tina) of Canton and Kenny Stephenson ( Becky), of Hendersonville; a sister, Clara Sumner (Mark) of Sylva; brother, Jack Stephenson (Valerie), of Idaho; six grandchildren, Makaela Smith, Logan Bell, Heidi Kelley, Makenzie Stephenson, Katie Bell, Carson Moser, Emily and Sarah; six great-grandchildren; and an "adopted" child, Mary Beth Davis.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Chip Plemmons and Reverend Mark Caldwell officiating.  Entombment will follow at 3:45 p.m. at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New Covenant Church General Missions Fund, 767 Lee Road, Clyde, NC  28721.

The care of Mr. Stephenson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton.