Birth Date: 06/14/1946
Deceased Date: 12/18/2023
Ronnie Douglas Stephenson went to be with his Lord on December 18, 2023. He was born in Johnston County to the late Rev. A.D. Stephenson and Frances Wood Stephenson. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn “Eve” Howell Stephenson; daughter, Heather S. Darling and husband Pat; grandchildren, Lilly and Collin Darling all of Raleigh; siblings, Glenda Hales of Wilmington, Phyllis Mitchell of Smithfield, Bonnie Morgan and husband Charles of Little River, SC, brother, Felton Stephenson and wife Betty of Irmo, SC; nephews, Barry Hales and wife Leslie of Wilmington, Todd Mitchell and wife Tammi of Florida, Brad Mitchell and wife Jami of Arkansas, Scott Reeder and wife Jennifer of Smithfield, Jon Stephenson and wife Elyse of Smithfield and Jeffrey Stephenson of Florida.
Mr. Stephenson lived in Johnston County until 2010 when he and Evelyn moved to Raleigh. He graduated from Wilsons’s Mills High School and received a B.S. in Business Administration from Campbell University. He completed post graduate work at East Carolina, UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University.
He began his career in education teaching at Princeton and Selma High Schools and served as guidance counselor at Princeton High. He coordinated the new middle grades exploration program at Four Oaks Elementary School.
He then was employed as a state education consultant with the NC Department of Public instruction in Raleigh and as an adult continuing education coordinator with Johnston Community College. He then served three years as executive vice president of the Smithfield Selma Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Stephenson was self-employed in several businesses for 26 years. He had his own insurance agency with offices in North Carolina and Virginia.
He was a past master and secretary of Masonic Fellowship Lodge # 84 in Smithfield and a past chairman of the Johnston County Heart Fund and Cancer campaigns. Mr. Stephenson was recognized by the Smithfield Jaycees as a distinguished citizen.
He enjoyed precious time with his wife and family. He had fun being “Poppie” to Lilly and Collin. He was an active member of Westwood Baptist Church in Cary.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday December 30, 2023 at 12 noon in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to the Jimmy V. Foundation for Cancer Research 14600 Weston Parkway Cary NC 27513 or to St. Jude’s Children Research 262 Danny Thomas Pl Memphis TN 38105.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at Parrishfh.com
