Carlton Stephens

GAINESVILLE – Carlton Wilburn Stephens, 75, died Sunday, April 12, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, following an extended illness.

Born on January 31, 1934, in Hall County, he was the son of the late Rufus Leon and Lizzie Martin Stephens. He served with the local National Guard, served in the Army in Italy with the Engineering Battalion, then began his law enforcement career under Cal Wilson while working for the Gainesville City Fire Department. He retired from Hall County Sheriff’s Department with approximately 20 years of service. Mr. Stephens was preceded in death by a brother, Cecil Stephens.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Betty Forrester Stephens, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Gary Stewart, Lula; son and daughter-in-law, Richard Carlton and Carol Stephens, Charlotte, N.C.; granddaughters and husbands, Deena and Johnny Boyette and Heather and Brian Miller, all of Covington; granddaughter, Sarah Catherine Stephens, Charlotte, N.C.; grandsons, Nathaniel Shane Stewart and fiancé, Summer Simpson, both of Gainesville, Richard Carlton Stephens Jr., Charlotte, N.C.; great-grandson, Corey Boyette; great-granddaughters, Ellie Boyette and Claire Miller; brother, Alvin Stephens, Gainesville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 15, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Revs. Richard Cole, William Gee and Cecil Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday, April 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, April 14, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2565 Thompson Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30501.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.