John Lee Stephens died Jan. 1, 2008. He was born Sept. 2, 1921 in Franklin, Ga., son of George and Henrietta Stephens. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ola Mae Geter, whom he had married Sept. 28, 1941. They were married 55 years. He joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Franklin, at an early age. He was a respected auto mechanic and a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge in Franklin. Services were at the Roscoe Jenkins chapel with interment at Bethel Heard Baptist Church Cemetery, Franklin.

Survivors include sons, Henry Lewis "Pee Wee" Stephens, Freddie Stephens, and John Walter Stephens, all of Newnan; daughters, Jimmie Ann Stephens Ragland, Newnan, Johnny Mary Stephens Ball, Jackson, Mich., Doris Ware Brown, Newnan, Ruby Almon and Vivian Almon, both of Franklin; a special god-son, Bishop Elect Willie L. Geter, pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church; sons-in-law, James Ragland and Hugh C. Ball; daughters-in-law, Artie M. Stephens and Margie H. Stephens; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Artis C. Stephens, Dayton, Ohio, Willie Arthur and Linda Stephens, and Willie Jim "Andy" Stephens, Cleveland, Ohio; and sisters, Lucrete Bonner, Grantville, Emily Stephens and Margie "Bobbie" Williams, both of Newnan, and Francis "Willie Dean" Prather, Jackson, Mich.

Roscoe Jenkins Funeral Home, Newnan, was in charge.