Mildred Maxine Stephens

June 30, 1930 - January 6, 2022

Mildred Weeks Stephens entered her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 6, 2022. She was born on June 30, 1930 in South Georgia to Ella Mae (Roberson) Jay and Willis Carl Jay Sr. and was raised on the family farm. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers W.C. (Pete) Jay Jr. and Lynn Jay, her sisters Winnie Pitts and Gladys Ellis, her two sons Michael Carl Weeks and Eugene Clarence Weeks, her ex-husband Clarence Weeks, father of her children, and Glenn Stephens, all whom she looked forward to rejoining someday. She is survived by her children, Martha Bantz, Diane (Horace) Rowe and David (Michele Mosca) Weeks, her grandchildren, Jeremy Bantz, Jennifer Rimes, Catherine Berner, Anthony Mosca, Emily Weeks, her two great-grandsons David Rimes and Joey Mosca, her great-granddaughter Harlee Rimes, as well as other relatives and special friends. From a very young age, Mildred wanted to teach. Once her children were almost grown, she completed her degree and began teaching kindergarten students. She later moved up to third grade, where she stayed for the remainder of her teaching career. She touched many children's lives in her 22-year career, being remembered as a patient, sweet, and caring teacher. Mildred was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and cherished the time she spent with each of them. She was a very caring person and one of the many ways she showed her love was by sharing, whether it was fruit from her trees, produce from her garden, plants from her yard or something that she had crafted especially for them. Each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild received a hand-pieced and hand-stitched quilt, made specifically with them in mind. Mildred acted upon her belief that it is always better to give than to receive. In addition to quilting, sewing clothes, and crocheting, she delighted in growing and tending to plants. She could grow almost anything, as evidenced by the number and variety of plants adorning her yard. Many people shared plants with her and she in turn, shared with others. People walking by and seeing her outside working, would sometimes stop and remark on how pretty her yard was. Butterflies and other insects were often seen flitting about her flowers, and brought much joy to her, along with a variety of birds attracted to her feeders. Perhaps Mildred's biggest love was for Jesus, which was exemplified in so many ways. She faithfully attended church, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes, sang in the choir, sent out cards, assisted with church dinners and clean-up days, served on various committees, as well as many other tasks. She readily volunteered whenever she saw a need, not waiting to be asked. Upon her arrival at the pearly gates, she was certainly greeted with "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Mildred will definitely be missed and forever in our hearts. Mom/MawMaw is safely home in the arms of Jesus. A private graveside service was held on January 15, 2022, at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Webster, Florida. The family respectfully requests that donations be made to the Immokalee First United Methodist Church: http://www.flumci.org , 303 N 9th Street, Immokalee, FL 34142, AVOW Hospice Naples: https://avowcares.org/donate-now/ or to your favorite charity.