Brenda Sue (Ballenger) Stephenson, 79, of Franklin, IN and Lubbock, TX passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Hospice of Wichita Falls in Wichita Falls, TX.

She was born June 16, 1943, in Fremont, Ohio to Reather and Lela Jane (Grider) Ballenger.  She grew up in Russell County, KY and was a 1961 graduate of Russell County High School.

On August 2, 1962, in Ringgold, GA, she married the love of her life James Marion JM Stephenson.  They began their lives together in Jamestown, Kentucky and in 1973 moved to Franklin, Indiana.  They had four children, Marion Scott, Dana Parrish, Jamie Paige and James Matthew.

Brenda relished her role as a homemaker.  She truly enjoyed taking care of her children and household.  Over the years however, when necessary, Brenda worked various jobs to help support the family.   Brenda's work included employment in sewing factories, on a painting crew and work as a traveling home healthcare aide.  During her later years, Brenda and JM lived in Lubbock, TX.  Brenda especially enjoyed loving and taking care of JM right up until his passing in 2012.

As a widow, Brenda was active with the Lake Ridge Ladies and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Always the communicator, she kept in contact with her family remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and maintaining connections with her siblings and family members.

Brenda enjoyed sunshine, working outdoors, meeting and talking to new people, helping others and she loved the view from her backyard in Franklin.  Brenda especially loved being a mother, grandmother and recently, a great-grandmother.

Survivors include her children Marion Scott Stephenson of Lubbock, TX, Dana Parrish Stephenson (Geri Lynn) of Indianapolis, IN, Jamie Paige Loyd of Greenwood, IN and James Matthew Stephenson (Lynn Ann) of Whiteland, IN, grandchildren Brittany Stephenson Carter (Robert), Jacob Stephenson, Emily Stephenson, Collin Stephenson, Elyce Clark (Richard), Cash Stephenson, Nicholas Loyd, Lane Stephenson, Candace Stephenson and AJ Stephenson, a great-grandchild Leela Carter, two sisters Bernice Brown and Bonnie Lake (Roy) and two brothers Ben Ballenger (Deniece) and Barry Ballenger (Dixie).

She was preceded in death by her parents Reather and Lela Jane (Grider) Ballenger, her husband James Marion JM Stephenson, a granddaughter Ella Stephenson, siblings Billie Joe Hadley, Rebecca Jane Spears, Bradford Roe Ballenger, Bruce Allen Ballenger, Boyd Wayne Ballenger and an infant sibling.

A service to celebrate her life will be conducted on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 2pm (EST) at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com .  Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, IN.  Family and friends may call Friday evening, January 6, 2023, from 4pm until 8pm at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Ships, P.O. Box 2020, Garden Valley, TX 75771 or at www.mercyships.org .

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com .  Information 317-738-0202.