MERRILL R. STEPHENS

Merrill "Pudge" Stephens, age 70, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at his home in Pine Knot.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 5, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Pine Knot Funeral Home with Rev. Jay Constant officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Stephens Family Cemetery near his home. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 a€" 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Born October 6, 1940, he was the son of the late Howard and June Moses Stephens. Others proceeding him in death are a son Merrill Wayne Stephens, a brother Bruce J. Stephens and an infant sister Brenda Stephens. Surviving family include his wife Linda Cooper Stephens of Pine Knot, whom he married November 27, 1961, and two daughters Sandra Marie Stephens-Groff (and husband Charles) of Lenoir City, Tennessee and Pamela Stephens (and husband David Reed) of Helenwood, Tennessee. His brothers and sisters are Gerald Stephens of Pine Knot, Ronald Stephens (and wife Annette) of Covington, Gary Stephens (and wife Pam) of Pine Knot, and Wilda Eggar (and husband Brad) of Covington. His beloved grandchildren are Ryan, Aaron, Kenny (and wife Gloria), Jeremy, Christopher, Ryan Koons, Shane (and wife Sara), Liana (and husband Sean), Samantha, Matthew Wayne, and Mallory Cheyenne (and husband Thomas). Great-grandchildren are Trevor, Akyra, Landon, Zhaan, Riana, Jacob, Hayden, Shayla and Natalya.

Mr. Stephens was a saw operator for Formica in Evendale, Ohio, and a member of the Bethel Baptist Church. He was a distinguished craftsman, designer, creator and perfectionist. He enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, gardening and reading; especially Popular Mechanics Magazine. Most of all, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.