Marymae Johnson White Stephenson, 95, passed away on Sunday, September 24th. She was born December 31, 1927, at home in Donaldson, Indiana, to John Albin and Sarah Jane (Crum) Johnson.
Marymae graduated from West High School in 1945. She worked at Memorial Record Company, in Plymouth, until she married Robert “Bob” White, in 1947. Bob was a professional photographer. Bob and Marymae purchased a photography studio in Goshen, Indiana and then later bought a studio in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Marymae helped her husband by coloring pictures, in oils, for their customers.
In 1956 Bob was tragically killed, in a car accident, at the age of 29. Marymae and the children, Beverly, seven and John, five moved to Plymouth, to be near family.
Five years later, in 1961, Marymae and Russ Stephenson were married. They were married, for 34 years, when Russ passed away in 1996.
Marymae was a very active member of the Evangelical Covenant Church, in Donaldson. She was a member of Covenant Women and Friendship Class at church; taught Sunday School; was the choir director; and soloist. She volunteered at St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary; was a member of the Marshall County Homemakers Extension-Modern Maids Club; and Tri Kappa.
Marymae is survived by her daughter, Beverly (Ren) Van Gilder, of Plymouth; her son, John (Barbara) White of Plymouth; grandchildren, Hillary (Craig) Hopple, of Plymouth, Rob White of Jamestown, North Dakota, Andrew (Monica) White of San Mateo, California, and Kimberly (David) Stiles of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Hanna Hopple, Hayden Hopple, Halle Hopple, Corbin Hazelwood, Chase White, Evie Stiles, and Gabriel Stiles. Other survivors include her nieces, (her sister, Donnabelle Newberg’s daughters) Judy Newberg, Janet Newberg, and Joan Hunt.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Bob White and Russ Stephenson; and her sister and brother-in-law, Donnabelle and Harold Newberg.
Visitation will be on, Saturday, September 30, from 1-3 p.m. with the funeral at 3:00 p.m. at Deaton-Clemens Van Gilder Funeral Home, 300 West Madison Street, Plymouth, with Pastor Mark Harder officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial contributions may be made to, The Covenant Church, Post Office Box 67, Donaldson, Indiana 46513.
The family wishes to lovingly thank all of their family and friends, for their prayers and for caring. A special thanks to her caregivers. She loved you all, so very much.
Thank you to all our friends and community for your support during this difficult time.
Deaton-Clemens Van Gilder Funeral Home is honored to be providing services in celebrating the life of Marymae and wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the family.
Friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at: www.deatonclemensfh.com.
