Roderick Gary Stephens Sr.

On August 8th, 2016, Roderick Gary Stephens, Sr. passed away after complications from heart surgery. But in truth, his heart just gave out from his constant gifts of love and joy he gave to all those around. All that knew him loved him. His family was his life, and he was the light of theirs. He taught his sons how to fish, play football, perform his famous over-n-under basketball shot, and most importantly, he taught us how to be a real man. A man that worked two and a half jobs to provide a life for us that he didn’t have growing up. A man that never missed a game, play, performance, or practice of his sons’. A man that loved and respected his wife, never even missing a single instance of sending her flowers on the anniversary of the day he proposed to her. A man that was so playful that he was at home rolling in the floor with babies or at his granddaughters’ tea parties. A man that, regardless of his personal stress, always had a smile and a joke for everyone he met. A man that led by example, not words. Most knew him as Gary, but a special few knew him as Daddy-O, a name that was him in a nut shell. He was a devoted husband, loving father, doting grandfather, crazy uncle, dedicated brother, giving friend, and a real man. Who will we call now for home improvement advice or to get our quota of dad jokes filled? He will just have to inspire us from above in those times we need him. He was our Daddy-O, and we will miss him. Daddy-O was preceded in death by his parents Robert Lionel & Annie Gibb Stephens. From heaven, Daddy-O looks forward to one day seeing again his loving wife, Alyce Rae Stephens; two proud sons and two daughters-in-law he loved as his own, Roderick Jr. & Melea Stephens and Jereme & Brandi Stephens; four grandchildren that will have to find another sun to light their lives, Sawyer, Isadora(Izzi), Addison, and Judson; sister, Gay; brothers(sisters-n-law), Reginald(Sharon), George, Pete(Laura), Charley, Gordon(Joan), and Guy(Karen); faithful mother-in-law, Ella Claire Hughes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that will miss him terribly. Memorial details and arrangements: Please come by and visit Daddy-O one last time on Wednesday August 10th at 5:30p-7:30p at the new Gardendale Funeral Home. He will be wearing his trademark Hawaiian shirt and ready for the celebration that awaits him on Jesus’s right hand. But don’t come with a frown, because if you knew him, you know he wouldn’t want anything but a party, so we’ll just have to party through our tears. A memorial service will immediately follow in the chapel at 7:30p and a graveside service will be held at 2:00p at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Luverne, AL.

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Roderick Gary Stephens Sr.

March 1, 1949 - August 8, 2016