Lois Ann Stephenson
The Stephenson Legacy Scholarship is for women who presently serve or strive to serve in ministry in the local church.
Born to James Davis “JD” Stephenson and Edna Ballard Stephenson, Lois Ann is the fifth generation of Stephensons to live in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Stephenson family was always active in Baptist church life. Father JD was a deacon and he and Edna both taught Sunday School. She distinctly remembers her parents praying every day and giving God thanks for her life and saying how much they loved her. Named after a strong and independent pastor’s wife, Lois Ann was raised in the same manner. While Lois Ann was an only child, she was never a lonely child. Since a young age, she loved to read and loved music. Lois Ann learned to needlework, play the piano and the organ, and sing in the choir. She remembers playing piano for the first time on a Wednesday night service. Nerves gave way to joy and she became one of her church’s regular pianists. Additionally, she sang in the choir for over 60 years. Her family were longtime members of what was Downtown Baptist Church, which became Parkdale Baptist Church, and is currently, Community of Faith.
Lois Ann is a big believer in education. She graduated from the University of Corpus Christi with a Bachelor’s in Music in 1964 and became a school teacher. She also obtained a Master’s in Science from Texas A&M Commerce and a Master’s in Education from Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Over 34 years she taught music and special education until she retired in 1997. Following a tenure at Parkdale Baptist School, she served as diagnostician for charter schools and then served as a mentor for first year teachers in an alternative certification program. She completely retired in 2013 after an educational career spanning 50 years. Having more free time, she continued to be involved in church ministry and she embarked on new adventures across the world. An avid traveler, Lois Ann has been to all seven continents, including the Antarctic. She especially enjoys archaeology and studying the history of Israel.
Despite her many health challenges, Lois Ann sees her doctor’s appointments and medical care journey as opportunities to share the love of Jesus with everyone she meets. Her most cherished verse, Isaiah 61:10 (NKJV), proclaims, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness….” This great joy is evident to all who know her. She has found that her daddy’s favorite hymn, which says, “The Longer I Serve Him the Sweeter He Grows,” is not only a beautiful song but a personal life reality.
Lois Ann is the last Stephenson of her family and wants her family’s devout Christian heritage and legacy to continue through the recipients of her scholarship. She is thankful for her supportive upbringing that encouraged her to serve in ministry and she wants to do that for other women.
The Stephenson Legacy Scholarship is for women who presently serve or strive to serve in ministry in the local church.
Her favorite bible verse:
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
If you would like to support women in ministry by contributing to the Stephenson Legacy Scholarship, you can do so from Stark’s Give page.