Ricky Stephens

Ricky Lynn Stephens was born on April 4, 1954, Jackson, MS.  He died on September 5, 2018, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the midst of his wife of 42 years, the former Nancy Winterstein and his children, Ricky, Jr., Brad (Ashley), Bridget and Brent (Ashley).  He died trying to get a new heart.  While he failed in this endeavor, he tried with all his effort and courage to accomplish this goal.  It was his hope to get a new heart and live a normal life.  Ricky lived his life to the fullest.  He was an avid outdoorsman, deer hunter to the extreme and an accomplished tournament fisherman.  He enjoyed immensely his time at “deer camp.”  He was an accomplished tradesman by profession, a master mason.

He was the owner along with his wife, Nancy of Tri-State Masonry, a company Ricky built into a thriving business, now operated by his sons.

He was incredibly skilled in his profession, almost to the degree of being an artist with brick and mortar.  His skills were sought by many.  Ricky was a businessman who lived by his word and the integrity of his work without great fanfare.  He cherished most the time he and his wife, Nancy were able to spend together with their grandchildren, Briggs, Brynn, Braddox and Seth.  He is also survived by his siblings, Melba (Wallace) Prince, Sandra Heath, Ronnie (Becky) Stephens and Jimmie (Leslie) Stephens; former son-in-law, Robby Costello; and many nieces, nephews and a host of good friends. He was preceded in death by Calvin Stephens and Shellie Stephens Palmer.

He lived with hope each day to see them get older and thrive as young adults.  He was a devoted husband to the love of his life Nancy for 42 years.  He often spoke of the support, and love that he felt every day of his life from Nancy.

He gained great pride in the success of his sons, Brad and Brent, in the family business and of his daughter, Bridget’s success in her career at Jackson Heart.  Ricky dearly loved all of his children and grandchildren.

Before his effort to receive a new heart, he spoke openly of his faith in God to direct his journey.  He went forward without fear of the road ahead, knowing without doubt that his course was already set, and that his faith would sustain him in whatever the outcome was to be.

Visitation will be 4-8pm Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS.  Services will be 2pm Sunday, September 9, 2018, in the chapel of the funeral home, with burial to follow in Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl, MS.