Joella Stephens

We are saddened to announce the passing of JoElla Stephens JoElla was born on November 6, 1955 in Marietta, GA to the late Joseph Bruce Stephens and Shirley Madron Stephens. She graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1973 and later earned her BA at the University of TN. After graduation, she drove an ambulance and worked in the ER in Flordia before moving to Hickory and beginning her career with Frye Regional Medical Center. She was a Respiratory Therapist for Carolinas Health Care in Charlotte for 30 plus years. Her patients were her priority and she was loved and respected in her profession. JoElla was a voracious reader and loved to shop. She had a lovely voice and loved to sing and act. In the late 1980’s, she was part of a local production company and acted in several plays including as a maid in the “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”. JoElla was unique with a quick wit; she was sweet, thoughtful, intelligent and would do anything for a friend. There isn’t space to note all that she accomplished during her life. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Bruce Stephens and Shirley Ann (Madron) Stephens and aunt, Joy Madron Wilson. She is survived by her beloved companion of 30 years, Teresa Eten; brother, Donald Stephens; nephews, Tyler and Brian Stephens; uncle, Richard Truett Wilson, aunt, Carolyn Madron Asmussen of Ft. Pierce, FL, cousins, Richard Wilson (Jhan), Carol-Ann Wilson Will (Dave), Alex Will, and Natalie Will of Cummings, GA, Sandy Kicliter Inman of Vero Beach, FL; Debbie Kicliter Kelly (Graham) of Ft. Pierce, FL. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Carolina Caring in Newton, NC for their tender and loving care of JoElla in her last week of life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. A graveside service for her family to celebrate her life will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemetery located at 3385 Roan Creek Road, Mountain City, TN; on Saturday May 29th 2021 at 2 pm. An additional service will be planned at a later time for her friends. Online condolences can be sent to the family via our website: www.huxlipfordfh.com Professional services are in the care of Hux & Lipford Funeral Home of Mountain City, TN.