Imogene Joyce Stephens, 64, El Dorado Springs, was born May 30, 1944, to Roy Stephens and Gladys Davis Stephens in Nevada. She passed away on May 10, 2009, in Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs, with her sisters Peggy and Doris at her side.
Imogene married William Owens in 1962. Though they later divorced, she kept her married name. She had two sons from the marriage, Chad and Eric.
Ima was the youngest of seven children and grew up on the family farm. After graduating from high school in El Dorado Springs, she moved to Kansas City. There she met Bill Owens, a young Marine. She moved around a lot, to Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, Kansas City and to Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.
After her two sons had grown up, Ima chose to return to El Dorado Springs to be near friends and family. Her lifelong bond and friendship with Bobbie (Stacy) Mays and Sis (Stacy) Witt meant the world to her. She was beloved as a teenager for her outgoing manner and crazy antics. Many in the community will fondly recall her bright smile and charming personality. She loved to sew. She loved a good book. She loved to laugh and enjoy life. She was devoted to her children and raised them with lots of love and good values.
Imogene was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Gladys; two brothers, Floyd Stephens and Vernon Stephens; and one sister, June Ann West.
Those surviving include: two sons, Chad and his wife, Elkhanah – El Cerrito, CA, and Eric and his wife, Rachel – Chicago, IL; two grandchildren, Samuel and Walker; one brother, Ray Stephens – Paramount, CA; and two sisters, Doris Smith and Peggy Hale – both of El Dorado Springs.
Memorial services will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, in the Community Church in El Dorado Springs, 220 N. Main, with Rev. Brent Bland officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs.
