Viola "Brownie" M. Stephens

Viola "Brownie" M. Stephens Viola "Brownie" M. Stephens, age 88, a resident of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Liberty Hospital, Liberty, Missouri. Brownie was born the daughter of Henry Thomas and Pearl Kathryn (Davis) Bailey on April 4, 1930, in Sabetha, Kansas, living there until she was 12 years old. She then moved to California, living in North Hollywood for 2 years. Brownie then moved to Raytown, Missouri, where she was a 1948 graduate of Raytown High School. Brownie was united in marriage to Eddie B. Stephens on July 3, 1949, in Raytown, Missouri. He preceded her in death on June 8, 2015. She and Eddie moved to Breckenridge, Missouri, in April of 1950, before making their home back in Kansas City, Missouri, where Eddie was employed as a mechanic. In August of 1961, they moved back to Breckenridge, Missouri, where Eddie owned and operated Ed's Transmission and Motor Clinic, and she would go after auto parts for him. In 1978, Brownie started the Let Us In Youth Center for the youth in the area, and continued this until 1993. Brownie also owned and operated a coffee shop from 1980 until 1990, and also a Mini Mart, all under the name of Let Us In. In 2003, she started going with Russ and Carolyn Trout to the Watkins Mill Camp for Kids. A place for kids that have been through the court system for various reasons. She provided church for them every Friday evening, and was the official grandma for 9 years, until her health forced her to quit. She was a member of the Breckenridge Baptist Church, Breckenridge, Missouri, and most recently a member of the Rayville Christian Union Church. Brownie was also a member of the Pilots of Christ, and the Braymer American Legion Murray-Tweedie Post #117 Women's Auxiliary. She is now with the love of her life, Eddie B., and the next time you hear thunder it will be Harleys in Heaven. To read more about their love story, see the published blog at https://bit.ly/2Ii9EMD . Survivors include five daughters, Katherine Howell and husband Bob of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Nancy Stewart and husband Lawrence of Lawson, Missouri, Shirley Stephens of Lathrop, Missouri, Donna Parker and husband Griff of Smithville, Missouri, and Brenda Bales and husband Stephen of Lawson, Missouri; ten grandchildren; fifteen grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eddie; three brothers, Charles, John, and Wilbur Bailey; and one sister, Edith Smith. Funeral services will be held at the Rayville Christian Union Church, Rayville, Missouri, on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at the Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Trosper Cemetery, Breckenridge, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pilots for Christ (Kansas City Heartland Chapter) and/or Trosper Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri.