Alvin Craig Stephens

“All that I have done can’t be undone and all that I didn’t do can’t be done” The path of this life’s journey began with birth of Alvin Craig Stephens on April 3, 1959, in Gum Springs, Arkansas. He was the son Ella Tate and J. N. Stephens. During his early childhood, he gave his life to Christ and united with the St. Ruth Baptist Church family. He was educated in the Arkadelphia Public School system. As a creative young teenager, Alvin’s artistic imagination allowed him to use a variety of colors and themes to create some of the most beautiful paintings. His entrepreneur instincts allowed him to, at most times, successfully sell those paintings. Alvin had a passion for painting. His yard and home today reflect that passion. He was known in Gum Springs, as the community handyman who raked leaves and cleaned yards. His proudest joy and gleam in his eye were his grandchildren. This life’s journey ended on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia, Arkansas as Alvin was in his 49th season. Those awaiting his arrival and to welcome him home are his mother, Ella Tate, maternal and paternal grandparents, Jay Lee & Elnora Tate and Sam & Ester Stephens, his nephew Courtney Robinson and granddaughter Jaberia Gray. His sense of humor, character and artistic imagination will be forever cherished by his daughter, Melanie Keith and her husband Lee of Sparkman, AR; three loving grandchildren, Tracy Stone, Trishun Bragg and Lee Keith, Jr. His sisters, Freda Tate of Gum Springs, AR; and Janice Stephens; his brothers, Ronald Tate and his wife, Veronica of Raleigh, NC; Ricky Stephens, Quinn Stephens, his father and step-mother, J.N. & Cleaster Stephens, two nephews, Byron Jones and Deon Tate. He also leaves his aunts, Lauretta Tate, Essie Jackson, Gertha Lee Duncan, Elverna Tate, and Dorothy Butler; his uncles, Willie Lee Tate, Oliver Tate, Donald Tate and a host of cousins, other relatives, numerous friends, as well as, the St. Ruth Baptist Church family. Mr. Stephens will lie in state at Williams Funeral Home on Thursday, March 5, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Alvin’s family will greet friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Select paintings of Alvin’s work will be on display as well. A Celebration of his life will be held on Friday, March 6, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of West Gum Springs COGIC in the Gum Springs Community where Elder James Banks is the pastor. Rev. Thomas Hale the pastor of St. Ruth Baptist Church will officiate and Rev. Ezekiel Vaughn will preach the celebration message. The committal service & earthly resting place will be in Burtsell Cemetery. Bearers of the casket will be Patrick Smith, Jackie Tate, Henry Wilson, Carl Cummings, Lance Tate, Chuck Davis, Jr. and Glenn Hill, Sr. Honorary bearers will be Deacon Warren Hunter, Deacon, Joseph Blevins, Deacon John Stephens, Deacon Donald Hatley, Deacon Meldine Ivory and Deacon Lon Ware.