Arletta May Stephens

Arletta May (Wampler) Stephens, 97, of Kansas City, MO, went home to the Lord on January 8, 2023, after a long battle with dementia.

Arletta was born to Everett Wampler and Nancy (Watts) Wampler, on October 22, 1925, in Savannah, MO, the third of seven children. She grew up on a farm near Amazonia, MO, and graduated from Savannah High School in 1943. She went on to study nursing in Kansas City, MO, and became a private practice nurse. She met the love of her life, Fred Stephens, on a blind date. They married on September 10, 1949, and were soon blessed with two children, Nancy and David. They settled in the Old Northeast neighborhood of Kansas City and enjoyed nearly 60 years together.

Shortly before they married, Fred and Arletta accepted Jesus as their Savior through the work of Billy Graham’s ministry. They dedicated their lives to Christ and served the Lord in various ministries at Kansas City Baptist Temple, Blue Ridge Baptist Temple, and Centropolis Bible Church. They loved to travel and visited Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, Rome, Germany, and Mexico. They were also active in their community and helped their neighbors however they could through the generosity of both their time and money.

Arletta was dearly loved by her family and friends. In the past four years, she enjoyed the community at Carnegie Village. Her favorite activities were Bible study, singing hymns, and playing bingo and hangman with her fellow residents.

Arletta said of her life-

“I enjoy my career as a wife, mother, and homemaker.
Our children and grandchildren are the fulfillment and joy of our lives.”

Arletta was proceeded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband. She is survived by her son, David Stephens, daughter, Nancy (Stephens) Bitner, and son-in-law, Teddy Bitner. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Becky, Hannah, and Miriam Bitner as well as her great-grandson James Wattenbach.

Visitation will be 12PM, with services to follow at 1PM, Thursday, January 12 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to City Union Mission. In the 1960s Arletta volunteered in their donations room, which is now the thrift store.

Visitation will be 12PM, with services to follow at 1PM, Thursday, January 12 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to City Union Mission. In the 1960s Arletta volunteered in their donations room, which is now the thrift store.