Nolena Stephens

Lawrence Edward Stephens was cruising around Jeffersonville, Indiana, in his brother's borrowed car when he first saw Nolena Hortense Love. She and a friend were playing H-O-R-S-E-S on the basketball court, and although she was dressed in a baggy t-shirt and knee-length shorts, something about her curly dark hair and confident poise caught his eye. Literally slamming on the brakes, he challenged her to a game-one that he quickly lost to the recently-graduated high school basketball star.
But rather than being deterred or embarrassed, Larry was impressed. "I'm going to have to see more of you all! We should go out!" he said. In his awestruck state, however, he had left it awkwardly unclear to which of the two women his comment was addressed.
Nolena, not one for ambiguity or bashfulness, narrowed her eyes and quickly called him out: "Who do you mean? Me or her?"
Dinner was beyond Larry's means for a first date, but Nolena accepted his offer for a stroll across the Ohio River bridge. They talked about his plan to join the Air Force and her dream of becoming a teacher. Four years later-after they'd saved up enough-Nolena Love became Nolena Stephens.
Ms. Stephens was born on April 11, 1930 to Irma Hortense Duggins Love and Clyde Everett Love in Dogwood, Indiana. Her family's modest farm lacked even plumbing, and by the age of 12, she was waiting tables to help support her parents. She spent any spare change on spoiling her little brother, Dwight, including purchasing his first bicycle.
Ms. Stephens had never traveled outside of Indiana and Kentucky when she met Mr. Stephens, but their new life together was one full of adventure, thanks to his career in the Air Force. Half an hour after they were married, they said goodbye to their friends and family and set off for Mobile, Alabama-their honeymoon-cum-first home. Shortly after, they moved to a base in eastern France, where Ms. Stephens-now a mother of three-was active in the Officers' Wives Club and the local bowling league (she averaged 175).
Despite her busy schedule and full life, Ms. Stephens still longed to become a teacher. So after her family returned to the US, she began attending night school, picking up credits here and there even as she raised her children, taught Sunday school, led a Cub Scout troop and coached a girls' softball team. She could often be found in the kitchen, a text book in one hand, a stirring spoon in the other, studying while simultaneously preparing dinner.
In 1970, she graduated from the University of Michigan with an elementary education degree, just before Col. Stephens and the family retired to Biloxi, Mississippi. There, Ms. Stephens continued her studies, earning a master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Specialist's Degree in education from William Carey University.
Her dreams were finally fully realized when she became principal of Bayou View Elementary School in Gulfport, following time spent teaching there and at Mississippi City Elementary School. Over the years, she always strove for the betterment of her students: When she saw that they lacked a decent place to practice athletics, she arranged for a track and an all-purpose gym to be built, the latter of which was named in her honor. She often joined the kids-all of whom she knew by name-on the court and field, challenging them to keep up with her, and she purchased holiday gifts for those from less fortunate backgrounds. In 1991, she was a guest of former President George H.W. Bush at an event in Washington, DC, honoring drug-free schools of the Southeast.
Ms. Stephens retired in 1996 but continued to substitute teach. She also enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren, whom she spoiled with chocolate oatmeal cookies, homemade Halloween costumes and warm baths followed by copious amounts of baby powder. She loved taking them on golf course walks to feed marshmallows to the local alligators, and taught them to ride bicycles by pushing them from behind with a broom. She never missed an athletic event, dance recital or graduation.
Ms. Stephens was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2003. After moving into assisted living in 2012, Col. Stephens faithfully visited her for hours each day. Even as the disease progressed, Ms. Stephens' exuberance for life remained undaunted, at first through her serenades of "Dance with Me, Henry" and "In the Garden," and later in her pearly smiles and favorite, oft-repeated phrase: "I love you."
Ms. Stephens, 87, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. She is survived by her devoted husband, Lawrence Edward Stephens, Sr.; her brother, Dwight Everett Love; her children, Deanne Love Stephens, Lawrence Edward Stephens, Jr. (Kappy) and Montgomery Dean Stephens (Laurie); and her grandchildren, Rachel Love Nuwer (Paul Dix), Lawrence Lyle Stephens, Sarah Catherine Stephens, Amelia Joy Nuwer and PageAnn Love Fletcher (Luke).
The funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 4:00 PM at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, with a visitation for family and friends from 2:00 PM until the service. Burial will take place at the Biloxi National Cemetery on Monday, July 3, 2017 at 9:00 AM, with guests meeting at 8:15 AM at Riemann Family Funeral Home to caravan to the cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Greenbrier Rehabilitation and Kindred Hospice for their compassionate care, especially Shantil, Keke, Shelby, Jackie and Christy.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, supporting research into the basic biology, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's and other dementias.