JULIA ANN (HALEY) STEPHENS
JULIA ANN (HALEY) STEPHENS
Julia Ann (Haley) Stephens was born February 12, 1948, in Creston, Iowa, to James Calvin Haley and Dorotha Olive (Lane) Haley. Julia passed away October 7, 2015, at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa, at the age of 67.
Julia graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1966. She was united in marriage to Donald Lee Stephens at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr on December 19, 1966. To this union three daughters were born, Amy, Tracy, and Margi.
The family lived most of their married life on a farm near Redding before moving to Benton in 2009. Julia worked for the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr for more than 30 years as a dietary manager.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; and two brothers-in-law, John Cason and Tim Stalker.
Left to cherish her memory are, her husband of 48 years, Donald; daughter, Amy (John) Ford of Mount Ayr, grandchildren, Andy (Annie) Ford of Creston, and Chris Ford of Mount Ayr; daughter, Tracy (Scott) Giles, grandchildren, Caitlin Giles and Connor Giles all of Mount Ayr; daughter, Margi (Scott) Belger, grandchildren, Luke Boord and Alexis Boord all of Altoona; three great-grandchildren; three siblings, Joan (Donald) Stringham of Benton, Robert (Linda) Haley of Benton, and Mary Jane (Ernie) Garrett of Diagonal; sisters-in-law, Judy Cason, Barb (Cecil) Hinshaw, Joan (Gerald) Bond, Susan (Duane) Keesen, Kathy (Jon) Goodale, Sheryl (Wes) Benedict, and Betty Stalker; brothers-in-law, Dave (Nancy) Stephens, Jack Stephens, Jim (Sally) Stephens, Jerry (Barb) Stephens, Steve (Eydie) Stephens, John (Karleen) Stephens, and Ken (Brenda) Stephens; many nieces and nephews; and special friend, Nancy Hartman.
Julia was a loving wife, mom, grandma, sister and friend. She cherished her time with her grandchildren and will be fondly remembered for her love of watching them participate in all of their activities. She enjoyed cooking and often spoiled her family with special treats and meals. Her competitive side came out when she cheered on her Royals and her Hawkeyes!
Services were held at the United Church of Diagonal at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2015 with Pastor Ed Shields and Rev. Terry Roberts officiating. Judy Newton and Chantelle Jennett provided the music. Casketbearers were Andy Ford, Caitlin Giles, Luke Boord, Chris Ford, Connor Giles and Alexis Boord. Honorary casketbearers were Rose Campbell, Fran Jackson, Deb Sickels, Linda McNutt, Joan Stringham, Patty Still, Carmene James and the rest of Ringgold county hospital dietary staff.
Burial is in the Benton Cemetery at Benton, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Julia’s name. Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
