Mary Stephens

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. in the Sunrise Chapel at Walters Funeral Home for Mary Stephens, 80, who passed on Monday, February 7, 2022. Officiating the ceremony will be Reverend David Orges, Pastor of Live Oak Methodist Church in Watson, LA, and Deacon Nelson Schexnayder of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. Entombment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Visitation hours will be observed at Walters Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 12:00 p.m.

Mary is survived by her husband, Gerald Nunez; five daughters, Carmel Sumich (John), Allyson Duhon (Tim), Stephanie Lee (Ricky), Susan Becnel (Matt), and Holly Stephens (Stephen); three sons, Andy Stephens, Jr. (Cherie), Jeffrey Stephens (Myra), and Michael Stephens (Christina); two sisters, Sandra Aultman (Grady), and Glenda Chandler; 22 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, her blonde haired, blue eyed, love of her life, Andy Campbell Stephens, Sr.; her second husband, Tom Basco; and her parents, Martin and Thelma Ragas.

Mary served as a Eucharistic Minister at OLGH Catholic Church in Buras before becoming a Parishioner at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Lafayette, where she served on the Sunshine Committee and was part of the Rosary Group and the St. Elizabeth Seton Pearls. She was also a member of the Senior Citizens Group at Bell Rose Senior Center.

Mary was a teacher for 25 years at Buras High School, and was the sponsor for Student of the Year, Science and History fairs, the History Club, and the Beta Club. She also tutored numerous students after school for many years. Investing in the next generation was Mary’s passion as she sought to help shape the futures of the next generation.

Mary lived life to its fullest and enjoyed all kinds of dance, and could be found dancing at festivals and nursing homes as she believed dancing brought joy to the world. She had a green thumb and loved flowers and gardening.

Mary loved life, and had a plethora of knowledge on a variety of topics and was often telling stories. Of course, she was always right. Most of all, she loved spending her time visiting with friends, her children and her grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Matt Becnel, Tim Duhon, Ricky Lee, Stephen Majoria Sr., Andy Stephens Jr., Jeffrey Stephens, Michael Stephens, and John Sumich.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the several caregivers who took special care of her, especially Linder Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Clarity Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9191 Bluebonnet, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.

View the obituary and sign the guestbook online at www.waltersfh.com

Walters Funeral Home, (337) 706-8941 , 2424 North University Avenue in Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.