James L. (Sonny) Stephenson, Sr.

James L. (Sonny) Stephenson, Sr., 81, of Hahira died Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at South Georgia Medical Center due to heart complications. He was born in Remerton on April 5, 1929 to the late Charlie and Annie Frances Brooks Stephenson and was a lifelong resident of Valdosta. He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Roberta Jean (Bobbie) Stephenson. He graduated from Valdosta High School in 1948 where he played football under Coach Wright Bazemore, along with his childhood friend the late Billy Grant. After graduation he went to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was drafted into the United States Army after his rookie season. In 1969 Mr. Stephenson along with his partner the late Harold Edwards started H & S Supply and in 1995 began Air Depot Incorporated where he continued to work until his death. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy of strength, hard work, great friendship bonds, a love for life and nature and the joy of living to each of his five children and their families.

Survivors include his children, Debbie and Lance Atkinson of Macon, Jimmy and Daphne Stephenson of Hahira, Becky Plaxico of Bishop, Lynn Revill of Valdosta and Jean Murray of Valdosta, his grandchildren, Seth (Arvy) Atkinson of Hahira, Gena (Mike) Redding of Wisconsin, Jaime Atkinson of Kansas, Hollie Stephenson of Washington, D.C., Austin Blake Stephenson of Chicago, Ill., Kylie Plaxico of Athens, Melissa Revill of Valdosta, Russell Murray and Carson Murray both of Valdosta, five great grandchildren, two sisters, Annie Grace Brantley of Remerton and Margaret Morse of Chattanooga, TN., special friends, Tim and Susan Jackson of Valdosta. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Ruth Dowse and Charlene Blalock.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm, Saturday, October 23, 2010 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with Mr. Lynwood Davis officiating. Entombment will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 11am-1pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Dasher Heart Center, P. O. Box 1727, Valdosta, GA 31603 or to the Lowndes Valdosta Animal Shelter, 337 Gil Harbin Industrial Blvd., Valdosta, GA 31601. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602