Gloucester "Poppa Bubba" Stephens

STEPHENS, Mr. Gloucester "Poppa Bubba" - age 91, passed away, Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Regency at Waterford Nursing Home. Family hour 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 174 Branch St., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11:00 AM. Pastor Samuel Stephens, Eulogist; Rev. Keyon S. Payton, M. Div., Senior Pastor. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 North Belford Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Wednesday. Mr. Stephens will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., and may be viewed from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday. Mr. Gloucester “Poppa Bubba” Stephens was born December 26, 1924 in Marianna, Arkansas, the son of Frank Stephens Sr. and Willie Ann Stephens. Gloucester was the first born child. He attended Whittier Elementary School from grades K-6th, Eastern Junior High School from 7th-9th Grade, and later attended Pontiac High School. Gloucester later had to drop out at seventeen years of age to help with his family financially. To prove to others he was a high achiever he would always clip a ink pen on his shirt pocket (which wasn’t proper for Blacks at that time). At the age of eighteen, Gloucester was drafted into the United States Army during World War II based out of Killeen, TX. While serving in the Army, he was a part of 761st Special Unit Tank Battalion, which was in combat from October 1943 until Dec. 1945. 761st Special Unit Tank Battalion was one of the first black troops on the front line in combat for 183 days straight, under the leadership of General George Patton’s strategy to defeat the Nazi Regime. The 761stTank Battalion has since received many high recognitions for their service which included: The Presidential Unit Citation for his extraordinary heroism to the 761st Tank Battalion signed by President Jimmy Carter. Gloucester returned home from war in December 1945 to his family, with a sigh of relief and honorable discharge papers. He was gainfully employed by General Motors-Pontiac for thirty-two years, with retirement rewards. Gloucester continued to work as a courier for Fenton Realtor Service for eighteen years and then retired due to Kidney Failure. He received very good care from North Oakland DaVita Dialysis Center for eight years. He would drive himself to his treatment, until his hospitalization. Gloucester was a real soldier. Gloucester was married to the late Billie M. Officer for thirty-three years, and from that union they were blessed with eight children. He later married his second wife, Naomi Stephens and they were married eighteen years both preceded him in death. He resided with dignity in this grand ole city of Pontiac. He was faithful member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church for more than seventy years. He was a very active member serving in the Senior Choir, the Male Chorus and a member of the City Wide Choir for forty years. Gloucester loved to sing to the Glory of God. Mr. Gloucester Stephens leaves to cherish his memory: children, Jacquelin Smith of Pontiac, MI, Sandra Stephens of Beaumont, CA, Karen Stephens-Rice of Los Angeles, CA, Carolyn Stephens of Detroit, MI, Melvin (Sherri) Midgett of Redford, MI; grandchildren, Carla Murphy of Atlanta, GA, Roshawnda Stephens of Los Angles, CA, Anthony Stephens, Jr. and David Stephens both of IN, Jermaine Smith of Richardson, TX, Bryan Stephens of Beaumont, CA, Adam Stephens of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Aaron Stephens of Minneapolis, MN, Melvin Midgett Jr. and Dylan Clemons-Midgett both of Redford, MI; nineteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; two sisters, Queen E. Coleman and Geneva Dembo of Pontiac, MI; four brothers, William L. Stephens of Hot Springs, AR, Robert E. (Jessie) Stephens of Pontiac, MI, James Wesley (Mary) Stephens of Detroit, MI, and Jesse (Lue) Stephens; special cousins, Lillian Tabor, James Montague Jr. and Lorraine Stephens; special friends, Mr. J.C. Richardson and Henry Broadnax of Pontiac, MI; loving long time friend, Betty Terrell and special son-in-law, Louis Smith III; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Gloucester Stephens was preceded in death by his sons, Larry E., James Anthony, Irving J. and Philip Stephens; granddaughter, Jada Lyn Smith; siblings, Marie Kidd and Frank Stephens Jr. The family would like to express special thanks to North Oakland Davita Dialysis and Regency of Waterford Rehabilitation Center Staff.

Gloucester "Poppa Bubba" Stephens

December 26, 1924 - February 21, 2016