Hallie Joe Stephens

Hallie Joe Stephens, age 87, went home to be with the Lord on November 15, 2023 at his home in Portland, Texas. Joe Stephens was born December 1, 1935 in Jayton, Texas to George F. Stephens, Jr. and Imogene Elane Moore.

Joe Stephens attended Lubbock High School and graduated in 1954. After graduation, he attended Texas Technological College before taking a break to join the U.S. Army. Upon completion of his basic training at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas, he was stationed in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona where he was taught programming. At the end of his enlistment, he returned to Lubbock to resume his studies at Texas Tech where he met and married Donna Jean Brand on May 26, 1962. Joe went on to graduate from Texas Tech in 1964 and worked as a programmer for Furr’s in Lubbock, Texas. Later in 1964, Joe and Donna moved to Marshall, Texas where he went to work for Thiokol and in December, they became a family when their first daughter, Susan, was born.

The family went on to live in Chalmette, Louisiana where Joe worked for Alco Aluminum before moving to Plano, Texas. While in Plano, Joe was employed by Collins Radio and the family grew with the birth of their second daughter, Sharon, in December 1967.

After living in Manteca, California the family settled in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania where Joe worked for several years as a civilian engineer for the U.S. Army. After losing his wife, Donna, to cancer in 1975, Joe decided to move back to Texas with his daughters, Susan and Sharon. He continued his career at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), working there for 35 years until his retirement.

Joe and Stella Vance met at a church function in Corpus Christi, Texas and dated for several months. Joe married Stella Vance on October 8, 1994, making Portland, Texas their home for 29 years. Joe’s favorite hobby was to travel. He would research and plan extensively before each adventurous trip. Joe and Stella traveled to several countries on every continent. Upon their return from each trip, Joe would create a scrapbook highlighting their worldly travels. Joe was also an avid reader of The Wall Street Journal, loved knowledge and obtained multiple Masters’ Degrees.

Hallie Joe Stephens was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna; his brother, Dr. George F. Stephens III; and his parents, George and Imogene. He is survived by his loving wife, Stella; daughters, Susan Leigh Stephens Schwertner and husband Danny, and Sharon Lynn Stephens Knight and husband Warren; grandchildren, Stephanie Buchholz and husband Matt, Amanda Schwertner, Lawson Schwertner and Edith Knight; great-grandchildren, Madyson and Mackenzie Buchholz; and his brother Bobby Dan Stephens and wife Gail. Stepchildren, Clayton Vance and wife Jana, Catherine Grander Vance, and Michelle James and husband Jeff; step-grandchildren, Nathan Vance, Sarah Vance, Justin Vance, Samantha Grander, Brittany Grander, Jessica James, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the loving congregation of the First Baptist Church in Portland, Garner Field Road Baptist Church in Uvalde, Visiting Angels, Altus Hospice, and Harbor Hospice for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Portland or Garner Field Road Baptist Church in Uvalde, Texas.

Visitation for Joe’s family will be held on Monday, November 27^th from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Winsteads’ Funeral Home (500 Wildcat Drive) Portland, Texas.

Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Tuesday, November 28^th at 11:00am at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery (9974 I-37) Corpus Christi, Texas with Pastor Jeffrey James officiating. 

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com