Annie Ruth Stephens

There are some lives that cannot be measured simply by the number of years lived, but by the love given, the lives touched. Such was the life of Annie Ruth Stephens. Annie lived a life filled with faith, family, music, laughter, friendship, generosity and love. To know Annie was to know a woman who truly never met a stranger.

Her Beginning: Annie Ruth was born on November 14, 1942, in Dubach, Louisiana, to the late Breaft and Cleo Dyer. She was reared along her siblings Harold Dyer and later in life with her sisters Lucille Meadows, and Linda Hall. Her parents her sister Lucille and brother Harold preceded her in death. Faith became a part of Annie’s life at an early age. When her parents began their relocation to Michigan. Annie stayed with her beloved aunt Florence Henderson in Michigan City, Indiana, while Breaft and Cleo prepare to establish their family and ministry in Michigan. Once they were settled, the family reunited and eventually made Pontiac, Michigan their home. It was there that Annie’s talents, and personality, and love of life truly began to blossom.

A Young Woman of Many Talents, Annie attended school in Pontiac, MI and graduated from Pontiac Central High School. Even as a young woman, Annie wasn’t afraid to try something different. She loved swimming and became a synchronized swimmer of the Pontiac swim team. But another gift was also emerging which was her love for music. Annie participated in the school’s music program and learned to play the piano. What began as a youthful interest would eventually become an important part of her faith, ministry and life. Somewhere along the way, young Annie caught the eye of an amazing 6-foot-7 basketball player named Gary Douglas. She and Gary eventually married. Their union was blessed with five children. Their time together, however, was far too short. Gary passed away at only 33 years of age, leaving Annie to raise their five children. It was during this time chapter of her life that Annie demonstrated the extraordinary strength that would become part of her legacy. She pressed forward, she sacrificed and she provided.

Years later Annie’s heart opened to love once again when she met and married Anthony Stephens of Pontiac, Michigan who precedes her in death. Annie and Anthony later relocated to Houston, Texas, and their union was blessed with two children, bringing Annie’s family to seven children. Because of her faith and commitment to God, she searched for what she believed was the truth; she joined the Christadelphian Church in Houston, Texas where she studied the word of God more intently. She had such a soulful musical presence that people affectionately called her "Little Re Re" because she reminded them of the legendary Aretha Franklin. Annie’s gift did not remain with the walls of one church. Her love of gospel music gave her opportunities to sing and direct choirs throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area and to work alongside some of the gospel music’s most respected and influential figures, including Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, The Clark Sisters, Rev, James Cleveland and Thomas Whitfield. Annie and Thomas also formed a group known as “The Coin Singers” recording and traveling together for several years .Those experiences became part of Annie’s story remarkable story.

Of all the titles Annie carried throughout her life daughter, mother, wife, musician, choir director, friend and “Blessed” perhaps none meant more to her than Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great Great Grandmother.

Her Family was the center of her world. Annie leaves to cherish her Beautiful memory her seven beloved children: Greta (Willie) Marshall, Garrett Douglas, Derrick Douglas who preceded her in death (Bernadette), Toiann Douglas (Charles), Cassandra (Samuel) Plew, James Stephens, and David Stephens (Melissa). Her cherished niece and nephews who she shared a bond with that went far beyond that of an aunt she loved, nurtured and guided them as a mother would the late Ricky Meadows, Mary (Belinda) Meadows, William Meadows, and Clifford Meadows.

Her legacy of love continued through her grandchildren; Jasmaine (Wayne) Capulong, Willie J (Felicia) Marshall III, Shanece Douglas, Shaniya Douglas, La’Teresa Douglas, Derrick Breaft Douglas, Ashley Douglas, Tristan Douglas, Ce’era (Quinton) Woods, Janyle (April) Douglas, Alisha Lewis, Caleb (Jessika) Plew , Sasha (Jacob) Hallmark, Lexi, David affectionately known as Isaiah, Tiara, Kiera, and Josiah. Annie was blessed to see another generation added to her family through her greatgrandchildren Joseph Marshall, Zaria Smiley, Luke Capulong, Shaniya, Quinton, Zoey, Davaion, Zavier, Liana, Leo, Jayla (MiMi) Nathaniel, Jason Taylor Jr, Salim, Sy’Air, Zipporah, Azrel, Jonathan, David Boaz. And then came another beautiful blessings, Annie lived to see her legacy reach five generation with the arrival of her beloved great-great grandchild, Alani Modesta Marshall.

Her family tree is so much more than a collection of names. It is a living evidence of a life well lived and a love generously given.