Clea Ester Stephens

Clea Ester Dickens Stephens, of Gurdon, Arkansas, passed away on February 26, 2025. She was born February 7, 1941, to the late Sherman Charles and Sarah Dickens of Kansas. On February 3, 1959, she was united in holy matrimony to J.N. Stephens. To this union, three children were born: Janice Brewer, of Davenport, Florida, the late Quinn Anthony Stephens, and Rickey Olando Stephens (Onia) of Malvern.

Clea loved the outdoors, loved fishing, sitting under the carport and visiting with friends. She joined the Providence A.M.E. Church at an early age, and later united with Mt. Cannan Baptist Church upon moving to Gurdon. She had several employers, Beirne Mill, Pettit Jean Poultry, and Hours of Joy Childcare Center in Gurdon.

She was preceded her in death by her parents, Sherman Dickens and Sarah Dickens; siblings, Mary Jo Broomfield, Laura Bell Green, Sherman Charles Dickens Jr. and Oneda Beavers.

Left to cherish her memory; her husband J.N. Stephens of Gurdon; her children, Janice Brewer of Florida, and Rickey (Onia) Stephens of Malvern; one sister, Shirley Dickens of Gurdon; and one brother, David Dickens of Gurdon. She also leaves her grandchildren Michael (Katie) Talton of Florida, Ercie (Antone) Purifoy of Hot Springs, five great grandchildren, along with a host of relatives and friends.

-Submitted by the Family