OBITUARY

Virgil Jackson Stephenson, Jr. of St. Clair, MO departed this life on Thursday, September 3, 2026, having reached the age of ninty-one years, four months and four days. Virgil was born in Moselle, MO on April 30, 1935, son of Virgil Jackson Stephenson, Sr. and Dolly Beatrice Stephenson nee Whitworth. On May 8, 1954 he was united in marriage to Melba Virginia Carter, and two daughters came to bless this union.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Melba Stephenson of St. Clair, MO; by his daughters, Deborah Williams and husband, Stanley, of Villa Ridge, MO and Cheryl Counts and husband, Michael, of St. Clair, MO; by five grandchildren, Michelle Bross and husband, Steve, James McMillen and wife, Astrid, Matthew Banderman and wife, Jennifer, Sarah Dierker and husband, Ryan, and Jeffrey Counts and wife, Stacy; by sixteen great-grandchildren, Emily, Anna, Henry, Liam, Chloe, Franzi, Julian, Cora, Brooklyn, Georgia, Cohen, Luke, Jude, Eli, Kaleb and Payton; and by nieces, nephews, many cousins and close friends.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Dolly Stephenson; by his sister, Donna Ranes; and by his sister-in-law, Alma Voss.

Virgil was a Christian of the Parkway Church of the Nazarene, St. Clair, MO, where he was active in many of the church’s functions and has served as the Sunday school teacher for many years. He was also the general contractor for the building of Parkway Church of the Nazarene in 1973. During his working career, he worked for Whitworth Steel Erectors in Valley Park, MO for about twenty-five years and then went to be a wholesale furniture salesman with Fraenkel Furniture for about twenty years. He enjoyed horseback riding, and hunting. Virgil was a great story teller and was never at a loss for words. What meant most to him was time spent with family. The love they shared and many precious memories they created together will be cherished by them all forever.

A kind and loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle cousin and treasured friend, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services will be held at 10:45 AM Sunday, September 13, 2026 at Parkway Church of the Nazarene in St. Clair, MO with Rev. Jacob Arnold officiating. The committal service will be in Midlawn Memorial Gardens in Union, MO. Memorials may be made to the Parkway Church of the Nazarene.