Rose Marie Stephens

Hephzibah, GA - Rose Marie Stephens, 83, wife, since 1973, of Wilbur Morgan Stephens, entered into rest Saturday, February 4, 2023. The family will receive friends Thursday, February 9 at 5:30 PM, with the memorial service to follow at 6:30 PM from the chapel of Chance and Hydrick funeral home with Reverend John Bartlett officiating. Mrs. Stephens, daughter of the late Joshua Corley and Gladys Kitchens Corley, was born in Burke County Georgia, and graduated from Richmond Academy as well as Augusta Technical College. She was a licensed master cosmetologist and opened her own salon and continued her practice into her 80's. She also worked at Gracewood State School and Hospital for ten years as a Health Service Technician, providing direct care for the clients of North Campus. Her passion for caring for others made her a client favorite. Some of her most cherished memories included styling client's hair for the Gracewood Prom and cheering the athletes on at the Special Olympics. She was a member of Miracle Baptist Church. She rang the bell twice as a two-time cancer survivor; the family dominos champion; a yard sale entrepreneur; and loved relaxing at the lake, fishing and spending time with her family. She loved her family deeply and was surrounded by their love daily. She was preceded in death by her brothers Wayne, Richard, Doye, and Owen Corley, and by the father of her sons, Wilborn W. "Buddy" Payton. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Wade Payton (Keenan), Donna Tyra (Larry), Daryl Payton (Rachel), and Teleen Neville; her grandchildren, Payton Neville, Dustin Tyra (Chelsea), and Destiny Pippin (Grayson); her great grandchildren, Beckett, Palmer, Cooper, and Wilkes; her brother, Billy Warren Corley (Harriett), and her beloved cousins, Ada McKinley and Doris Redd. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local, 2607 Commons Blvd, Augusta, GA 30909; or to Miracle Baptist Church, 1308 Hephzibah-McBean Rd, Hephzibah, GA 30815. Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA, 30906.

Rose Marie Stephens

February 7, 2023