A.D. (Bubba) Stephens, Jr: November 15, 1966 - January 21, 2025

A.D. (Bubba) Stephens, Jr., 58, of Valley Mills, passed away on Monday, January 21, 2025, due to a recurrence of cancer after an unwavering and heroic 5-year battle.

Bubba was born to A.D. Stephens and June Ford Stephens on November 15, 1966. When his family moved to Valley Mills during his freshman year of high school, he found the close-knit community he had always longed for.

He attended Valley Mills High School, where he played football and baseball. In his senior year, he began dating the love of his life, who would later become his wife on June 25, 1988. Bubba and Charlotte nurtured their love through their children, Ericha Hope and Tyler Dwain. Bubba took immense pride in being a devoted husband and loving father, always willing to do anything for his family. He was the kind of man who would take his mother-in-law on vacations so she could share precious moments with her grandchildren.

Bubba enjoyed vacationing, camping, and participating in BBQ cookoffs with his extended family, including the Stephens, Pierce, and Bartels families. He selflessly gave his time to support the Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department, Valley Mills Little League, Valley Mills Little Dribblers, and the First Methodist Church of Valley Mills. He cherished being called “Coach” and served as a mentor both on and off the field. Bubba coached his daughter’s softball and basketball teams, his son’s baseball teams, and even his niece’s softball team long before his own children were born. He touched many lives through his dedication to these organizations and will be greatly missed by those he impacted.

For the past 16 years, Bubba worked at Hilton Waco/Texas Western Hospitality and never considered it work. He loved meeting new people and hearing their stories, never meeting a stranger. He regarded all his co-workers as family and went out of his way to help them. Bubba thrived on being busy, owning his own Trucking Company and Powerwashing business while working full-time at Smead Mfg in McGregor as a supervisor before the company shut down.

He was preceded in death by his father, A.D. Stephens; mother, June Ford Stephens; mother-in-law, Jackie Bartels; and sisters, Claudia Stephens and Patricia Stephens Guthrie.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Stephens of Valley Mills; children: Ericha and Tyler Stephens of Valley Mills; brothers: Paul Stephens and wife Dee Ann of Speegleville, and John Stephens; fathers-in-law; Gerald Pierce and his wife, Eddie of Lorena, Ernest Bartels of Mosheim, brothers-in-law: Duane Pierce and wife Nancy of Mosheim, Eric Pierce and wife Peggy of Valley Mills, and Steven Bartels and wife Hannah of Mosheim; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews and his fur-babies Max, Jo-Jo, Theo and Ellanore Stephens

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the love and care provided by the ICU nurses and doctors during Bubba’s multiple hospital stays.

The family received visitors on Friday, January 24, at First Methodist Church Valley Mills.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Saturday, January 25th, at First Methodist Church Valley Mills. Bubba was interred at Valley Mills Cemetery.  A reception followed at the Methodist Activities Center.

Pallbearers: Brandon Pierce, Bret Pierce, Damon Pierce, Noah Pierce, Jose Picon of Valley Mills, and Christopher Carney of Speegleville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Valley Mills Methodist Church or Valley Mills Fire Department.