Jimmie Lou Stephenson passed away peacefully in her home on January 31, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born at home in the Boz Community of Ellis County on April 28, 1929, to the Late J. H. and Jimmie Katie Sims.

Growing up deeply entrenched in the Ellis County farming community Jimmie Lou attended the Box School and often arrived with the help of the pony Billy pulling a cart. After graduation from Forreston High School in 1946 she along with her best friend, Jimmie Faye Bynum, attended and graduated from North Texas State University with a degree in Elementary Education. Her first teaching job was in Ennis where she taught 2nd grade for 1 year and then returned to Denton after marriage to Glenn Ray Stephenson on June 10, 1951. They returned to Ellis County in 1967 with 3 children and one more to follow. The family were active members of First Methodist Church in Waxahachie.

She returned to teaching after raising her family. She taught generation of students at T.C. Wilemon Elementary and E.B. Wedgeworth Elementary before retiring at the age of 83. She treasured every memento and gift that her students gave her and the many friends she made along the way.

Nicknamed "Red" by her Forreston classmates she was an avid basketball player, making 17 free throws in a row to set a school record. That was a passion and work ethic she passed on to her sons, who could be found sneaking in the WHS gym to practice. She was a longtime Mavericks supporter beginning  from the team's inception in 1980. She never missed watching a game as long as she had the channel in her cable package.

All of these stories and more she would pass down to her grandchildren, who frequently asked her to "tell us a story about when you were a little girl." Grandmother was always ready to oblige. Jimmie Lou was a commanding presence, leading her family with a stoic gaze, perfect makeup, beautiful hair, Titiana French's magnificent dresses, and flawless heels. Always a lady, she will be missed.

Jimmie Lou is survived by her children: Gary Stephenson, Jana Chancellor, Mikel Stephenson (Carla) and David Stephenson (Susan); grandchildren: Caroline Stephenson, Laura Black (Alex), Glenn Chancellor and Jon Stephenson; great-grandchildren: Sydney and Maylenn Chancellor and Blair and John Black; sisters: Betty Hunter and Janyce Meroney; brother, J.B. Sims and multiple nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Glenn, her sister, Ann Byers, and son-in-law, David Chancellor.

A graveside service and interment will be held at Bethel Cemetery at Five Points on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to St. Jude Children' Research hospital www.stjude.org

Submitted by family