Michael Dean Stephenson

Memorial services for Michael D Stephenson, 81, of Tenaha, will be held at 2:00 PM, on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Taylor Funeral Home with Jack Runnels serving as Speaker. Visitation will be held immediately prior beginning at 1:00 PM.

These days, hard working people who do things on their own and make a living doing it, are not easy to find.  Michael Stephenson was just that.  He worked hard for what he wanted.  He raised his family, loved his children and grandchildren and did everything he could to pass on the family traditions and legacy that he built with his own hands.

Michael Stephenson was born on March 25, 1945, in Carthage, the son of Oran and Frances Stephenson.  He passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Nacogdoches.  His life was filled with many notable moments, including the birth of his children and grandchildren, owning his own businesses, marrying his beloved Patsy later in his life and being able to take one last memorable trip in his trucks to Utah last year.  He owned his own trucking company and was beyond excited for his son, Jack to be taking over the reins to continue the business that meant so much to him.  Michael spent long and dedicated hours with his sons and grandsons in the shop and he never passed up a moment to teach them.  He and Grant shared a love of horses and rodeo, and those days brought him great joy as well.  Any other time he had was spent with Patsy as they lived to travel, visiting many cool places and enjoyed time in his Airstream.

When he wasn’t with family, he was with his tight group of friends.  Their laughter and fun times came as they were sitting around playing cards or simply making the time go by telling stories and enjoying each other’s company.  Michael was also known to show up to visit but never without his gift of Southern Maid donuts.  He was also a devoted member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Carthage.

Michael is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Patsy Ruth Williams Stephenson; sons, Jack Stephenson & wife Crystal and Grant Stephenson & wife Lindsay; daughter, Dana White; grandchildren Blane Stephenson, Brady Stephenson, Josh Stephenson, Avery Malone and Caleb Fallin; great grandchildren, Barrett Stephenson, Graham Malone, Mavrick Malone, Walker Fallin, Andi Fallin, Patrick Malone and Andrew Malone and brother, Jerry Stephenson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Oran & Francis Stephenson.