Arvis D. Stephenson

Humboldt, TN – Arvis D. Stephenson, 90, died on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at Jackson Madison County General Hospital, Jackson, TN. Born on May 16, 1922, in Splunge, MS, he was a son of the late Albert and Ivy Sullivan Stephenson.

Mr. Stephenson was a graduate of Smithville High School, Class of 1940. Honorably serving in the US Army Air Corps during World War II as a turret gunner based in Deopham Green, Germany, he became a POW after his plane was shot down on their 35th mission. He married Mavis K. Pearce on November 19, 1945. Working as a farmer in Smithville and a business owner in Memphis, Mr. Stephenson retired in 1992, as a helicopter specialist with the US Army Material Command Center, St. Louis, MO. He was a member of Macon Road Church of Christ, Memphis, where he served on the Security detail and was their former groundskeeper. Very instrumental in organizing the annual 452nd Bomber Squadron Reunion, he enjoyed their fellowship together. A hard-worker who was a good husband and dad, Mr. Stephenson enjoyed fishing, hunting, vegetable gardening, and listening to Old Country music.

He is survived by his son, Dwight Stephenson (Margaret), Bartlett, TN; granddaughters, Amy Smith (Patrick), Roswell, GA, and Robin Gilbert (Bryce), Williston, TN; great-grandchildren, Carson and Jackson Smith and Logan and Lilly Gilbert; and nephew, Danny Stephenson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife and a brother, Earnest Leon Stephenson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 AM, Thursday, May 7 at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home with Mr. Jeff Horton, minister, officiating. Burial will follow in Pearce Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 9 – 9:45 AM, Thursday.

Memorials may be given to Macon Road Church of Christ, 4004 Macon Rd., Memphis, TN 38122.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.