A Time to Be Born: Eldene Chambers Stephens was born May 13, 1919 in Chambers County, Alabama. She was born to the parentage of Son and Froney Johnson Chambers.

 

A Time to Serve: At an early age, she joined Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. She was the mother of all mothers and a wonderful cook.

 

A Time to Love: Mama Dene, as she was affectionately called, met and married her sweetheart, Nathaniel Stephens, Sr. on April 5, 1942. Their union was blessed with 12 children.

 

A Time to Die: On Monday, June 13, 2016 she departed this life peacefully at her home. She was welcomed home by her husband; her parents; a son James and two infants; three sisters, Nell Camron, Judy Ashford and Mary Joe Dunn; four brothers, George, Johnny, Ralph and Willie Chambers. She was the last of the Chambers siblings.

 

A Time to Mourn: She leaves a lifetime of memories to: four daughters, Mary Faye Jessie, Newnan, GA, Margie Madden, Mattie Ree Hubbard and Phyllis Stephens (caretaker) all of Valley, AL; five sons, Lonny Stephens, Leroy (Ruth) Stephens, Nathaniel (Barbara) Stephens, Jr., Jessie Lee (Sharon) Stephens and Sylvester (Melanie) Stephens all of Valley, AL; 19 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 13 great=great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Affie Lene Chambers and Mary W. Chambers; her adopted sons, Rev. Gregory Sutton, Edward Johnson and Evander McBride; caretaker, Carla Bailey; and, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.