James Lewis Stephens, 72, of Sallisaw, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Sallisaw. Share memories and family stories, photos, or ask questions. He was a loving husband and a faithful friend. Mr. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an brief illness. Survivors include his wife, Kathy Stephens of Tarrytown; two sisters, Claudette Stephens Drury and husband Kenneth of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Jessie Stephens Cook and husband Kenneth of Kilgore, Texas; one brother, William Stephens of Gwinnett County; and several nieces and nephews. Before passing away at the age of 93 in 2005, Stephens and his wife, who preceded him in death in 1996, spent the last few decades of their lives donating millions to charity, educational institutions, the arts and various civic causes. Taking 5 years to build, the 4,200-foot-long suspension bridge was an engineering marvel of its time - 11 men died during construction. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. As a youngster, he would rise early to milk the familys cows, then bottle and sell the milk before school. Stephens is the son of Elton B. Stephens Sr., who started the conglomerate EBSCO Industries. Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens whose family was ranked by Forbes magazine in 2014 as the 66th wealthiest in America - did not know his abductors. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house to be ready. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com. Hodges told investigators Stephens had given the items to them willingly, but court records stated that they said they would kill him if he called anyone. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Determining the richest person in the state is simply not an exact science. Mr. Elton L. "Tebo" Stephens, 89, of Wadesboro, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 3, 2019. As listed in Whos Who, they encompass both the capitalistic and altruistic aspects of his personality: Invest/reinvest earnings to create employment/profits for growth/expansion. According to law enforcement, Burke and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 22, broke into a house Stephens was staying at in Jefferson County as he slept on September . [5] His wife died in 1996. The maximum penalty for conspiracy is 5 years in prison. We have no idea how Forbes could have so wrongly made this estimate. In 1928, after graduating from Barbour County High School, Elton set off for Birmingham-Southern College with just $125. Marston graduated from Bossier High School and joined the United States ARMY. . The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the accident. Elton "Sonny" Meiring, age 88 of Celina, Ohio, formerly of Minster, died at 7:29 PM on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, Ohio. Read more about the life story of Elton and share your memory. a All rights reserved. At one point, earlier testimony showed, Burke told Stephens if he did anything to make Hodges feel uncomfortable, it wont end well for you.. Help paint a picture of Elton so that he is always remembered. Investigators were able to track down the suspects by obtaining GPS location information that was on Stephens phone. He was a member and deacon of Voice of GraceMinistries in Vidalia. All Rights Reserved. Burke and his girlfriend, Tabatha Hodges, both pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping and bank fraud. There is no early parole. Elton B. Stephens Jr. was kidnapped at around 7am on September 11 from a rental home in Birmingham, Alabama after two suspects broke into the man's house while he was asleep That led them to the location where Stephens had been taken. She was the first wife of Alabama governor George Wallace, whom she succeeded as governor because the Alabama constitution forbade consecutive terms. Elton Bryson Stephens Sr. (19112005) was an American businessman from Alabama, who founded EBSCO Industries. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, was being . Marston Bulow Stephens, age 96, of Bossier City, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 surrounded by loving family. Good healthy years, being successful in whatever it is you may choose to do, after this, as long as you do it right.. STEPHENS, ELTON BRYSON, was born August 4, 1911, and died February 5, 2005. Brooke. The Biography piece is collaborative, where we work together to present the facts. Biography ID: 75204441 . Updated: November 4, 2011 . "When I was four, I had pneumonia, and I remember my father often standing over my crib and entertaining . A graveside service will be at 11:00 am, Friday, March 8, 2019 at Hillcrest Cemetery, Lake Waccamaw, NC with Rev. He served four years in the U.S. Army and returned to Mt. I get the chance to remember the Share yesterday to connect today & preserve tomorrow, Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved, ADVERTISEMENT Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, was sentenced Thursday to . Burke went on to say, according to testimony, that he had bought the house two weeks before which was not true. When I was four, I had pneumonia, and I remember my father often standing over my crib and entertaining me, Elton once recalled fondly. She also initially said that the kidnapping was all her idea, not her boyfriends, but later said that was a lie. Vernon where he lived until moving to Tarrytown in 1989. Stephens chaired the Alabama Symphonic Association at the time, but it was his $15 million contribution to revive theAlabama Symphony Orchestra that gave it new life with an initial $5 million startup operating fund and a $10 million endowment that ensured its survival. Because private wealth is not a matter of public record, there's no telling if a sleeper billionaire is holed up somewhere in a rural Alabama cabin, or perhaps even sitting at the helm of one of the state's other successful companies. And I found it odd that he has retained Spina, the criminal defense attorney quoted in . Tommy Spina, attorney for Stephens, said Burke could face an additional five years in prison if convicted of escape. All Rights Reserved. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. [5] They met as students at Birmingham-Southern College and graduated together in 1932. For years he has been referred to as a billionaire in news articles and other forums, but any definitive proof of the extent of high his net worth remains elusive. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In 1995, by the time he was 84 years old, on May 19th, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil - before 9/11 - took place in Oklahoma City. Elton Stephens Elton Stephens (1913 - 1984) Jump to: Biography Memories . Share what Elton did for a living or if he had a career or profession. There are no events scheduled. Elton B. Stephens Jr., whose father founded EBSCO Industries in 1944, was kidnapped at 7 a.m. on Sept. 11 from a rental home in Birmingham, where police said a pair of suspects, Matthew Amos Burke . Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. The Remlap pair remains behind bars on no bond. That first year, I saved $500 and thats like several thousand today, he remembers. [4] It later became known as EBSCO Industries, a diversified company in "information services, publishing and digital media, outdoor products, real estate, manufacturing and general services. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Friends can be as close as family. 1892 - 1976. What Elton did fall for was a love of business. Funeral Home website by. Elton had continued selling subscriptions as he worked to complete his education, even hiring other students to work for him, including fellow Barbour County boy George Wallace, who would later become governor of Alabama. Founder and chairman of the board of EBSCO Industries, Inc., Elton Bryson Stephens was born August 4, 1911, to parents Clara Stuckey and James Nelson Stephens in Clio, Alabama. Elton B. Stephens Scholarship Hannah Combs; Elton B. Stephens Scholarship Aundria Kurowski; Born in Barbour County, Alabama in 1911, Elton B. Stephens was instrumental in the rebirth of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Court records show Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are [] If Garry Drummond truly is a billionaire, he would likely be the richest Alabamian, but he has not been identified as such by Forbes, and his personal finances, like those of other Alabama residents, are not available to the public. Founder and chairman of the board of EBSCO Industries, Inc., Elton Bryson Stephens was born August 4, 1911, to parents Clara Stuckey and James Nelson Stephens in Clio, Alabama. Investigators were able to track down the suspects by obtaining GPS location information that was on Stephens phone. He was a loving husband and a faithful friend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Voice of Grace Ministries, 1221 Orange St., Vidalia, GA 30474. James Stephens is the Chairman of EBSCO Industries. Matthew Amos Burke and Elton B. Stephens Jr. North America. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He was a native of Montgomery County, growing up in Mt. October 11th, 2021. - After four decades at Elton B. Stephens Co. (EBSCO), President and CEO F. Dixon Brooke Jr. announced his plans to retire at the end of this current fiscal year, June 30, 2014. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. Stephens, and his son-in-law, F. Dixon Brooke, married to Stephens' daughter, Dell, both went on to lead EBSCO and have followed him in philanthropy through scholarships, charitable campaigns and support of the arts. His wife died in 1996. [2] For charitable contributions to the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Stephens Family Gallery is named in his family's honor. Send Flowers. Discover how our Uncovering Our Shared Memories: An Introduction to the Community Standards at AncientFaces In 1937, by the time he was 26 years old, on May 28th, the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge opened to cars. Stephens also founded theMetropolitan Arts Council in 1986 and was a major contributor to the Birmingham Museum of Art. At one point, earlier testimony showed, Burke told Stephens if he did anything to make Hodges feel uncomfortable, it wont end well for you.. But it is highly likely that the Harberts will no longer be able to claim that the richest living Alabamian is a member of their privileged family tree. Two people are behind bars after prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. was kidnapped during a home invasion. Once at the suspects home, Stephens called his banker, a call which was recorded, and asked him to wire $250,000 to Hodges bank account. Recommend Elton's obituary to your friends. Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. They were in the house for hours taking one of Stephens sports cars for a joy ride and making food in the kitchen before waking Stephens about 8:30 a.m. Who are the richest Alabamians now that billionaire Marguerite Harbert has passed? Where we share as we remember & make discoveries and connect with others to help answer questions. Stephens is the son of Elton B. Stephens, Sr., who started EBSCO Industries in the 1940s and became one of the most successful businessmen in Alabama history. [2][4][5] The company sold magazine subscriptions to the United States Army. The following summer, Elton B. Stephens assembled and coordinated a team of friends to assist him; and he learned that he was not only a good salesman, but also a good manager. While many of those contributions resulted in Stephens' name or names being attached to projects (theAlys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center atUAB or the Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern College) most were made without any such lasting recognition. The active involvement of the Stephens' family has contributed to the growth of EBSCO. Tired of lenders who would refuse to lend against accounts receivable or not discuss long-term debt, he went looking for cheap banks in small towns, and purchased Citizens Bank in Leeds, Alabama, with $21 million in assets, for $2 million in borrowed funds and $600,000 of his own money. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. when he died at the age of 93. Share. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He was born July 22, 1949, in Fort Smith, Ark., to Oscar Louis Stephens and Patsy . Stephens family member is 71. Who is Elton Stephens to you? Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house to be ready. Elton's Obituary . Good healthy years, being successful in whatever it is you may choose to do, after this, as long as you do it right.. Stephens gave $1 million to theUnited Way of Central Alabama in 1997, one of many large personal donations he made to the charitable group. Elton Stephens died at age 70 years old on January 8, 1997. the average Stephens family member Support worthwhile projects including but not limited to education, health, religion, needy, cultural arts, boys/girls clubs, law enforcement, conservation, nature, water resources. Joni Money said sheriffs officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding Burkes release but said they did not have any documentation that Burke was to remain in custody. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 12:45 pm until 1:45 pm at the church. Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens did not know his abductors. Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, USA (acting as Explosives Subcontractor to Main Demolition Contractor, Lindamood Demolition of Irving. He has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for Birmingham-Southern College and had numerous scholarships established in his name at both his alma maters; his honors and accolades abound. EBSCO Industries is now so diverse it deals with everything from investments to library periodicals, plastic fishing lures to steel joists, indoor advertising to realty, with Eltons love of selling seemingly forever moving the company forward into new markets. Tabatha Nicole Hodges (Jefferson County Jail). All rights reserved (About Us). Stephens' father, Elton B. 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