Cleta Maxine Stephens

Cleta Maxine Stephens, of rural Odin, formerly of Patoka, passed away Sunday, July 4, 2021, at the home of her daughter, surrounded by family that loved her and the fur babies she loved. She was born on September 15, 1929, the daughter of Elma Louise (Parker) Mercer and Berthold Henderson Mercer in Wamac, Illinois. She married James Eccles Stephens on August 1, 1948, at Harvey’s Point Christian Church near Salem, Illinois.

Surviving children are two sons, James Robert Holder and wife Kelly of New Braunfels, Texas, and Larry Alan Stephens of Odin; three daughters, Rebecca Jo Jones and husband David of Odin, Anita Rae Quick and husband Gary of Shattuc, Anne Marie Bright and husband Barry of Flora; one sister, Janice Barker of Wichita, Kansas; sisters-in-law, Avanelle Mercer of Lawrence, Kansas, and Artie Stephens of Matthews, Virginia; thirteen grandchildren, Jennifer Leigh Harris and husband Ben, Justin Robert Capers and wife Sharla, Joel Leon Holder, Jason Robert Holder, Stacy Lynn Jones and husband Rob, James David Jones, Melissa Sue Jones and fiancé James Camerer, Karon Leigh Quick and husband Josh Rendleman, Darcy Anne Quick and husband Tim, Eric Ryan Bright and wife Amanda, Evan Andrew Bright, Ethan Daniel Bright, Trevor Stephen Bright, and Christopher James Stephens; great-grandchildren, Cory, Bradley, Angelica, Hayden, Dylan, Camdyn, Kylee, Marlee, Jaxon, John, Caleb, Hailey, Seth, Tyson, Taylor, Marcus, Landon, Mikey, Caden, Luke, and Katherine; great-great-grandchildren, Ashley, Skyler, Jeremiah, Ryan, Kaylon, Taylor, Xander, and Liam; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special friends, Danny Tolka and Barb Berry. 

Cleta was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Stephens; her parents, Elma and Berthold Mercer; brother, Jerry Mercer; sisters, Mary Gomez and Jean Anne Mercer; and her great-granddaughter, Ashley Elizabeth Jones.
After graduating Salem High School, Cleta worked at the Farm Bureau as a secretary and then at Halliburton as a secretary, where she met the man that she would one day marry. Later, Cleta took on the roll of housewife and a mother. Throughout their married life, Cleta and James were actively involved in Patoka Christian Church and Odin Assembly of God Church. Later, Cleta attended Odin Christian Church. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she played the piano, served several stations, and was a 50-year member. She also belonged to the Willing Neighbors Club in Patoka. She enjoyed playing the piano, singing with her husband, being with her church family and friends, playing cards and other games, going to gospel quartet singings, gardening, and loved spending time with her family.

Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval is privileged to be assisting the family of Cleta Stephens with arrangements. A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the Patoka Civic Center with Pastor Jeff Mercer and Pastor Avanelle (Harmon) Mercer officiating. Interment will follow at the Patoka City Cemetery. Friends are welcome for a visitation time to offer condolences to the family from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the Civic Center in Patoka. Memorials may be made in Cleta’s honor to the Shriner’s Children Hospital, Patoka City Cemetery, or the Odin Christian Church and will be accepted for the family at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories of Cleta may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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