Madeline Stephenson

Madeline “Bunch” Stephenson, 83 a longtime Fort Sumner, NM resident died Tuesday, April 18, 2000 at her daughters home in Clovis, NM following an illness. She was born December 17, 1916 in Floyd, NM to the home of Watt Williams and the former Georgia Mae Beason. She was reared at Floyd where she attended and graduated from high school. Bunch attended Eastern New Mexico University at Portales. She married A.J. Stephenson, they made their home at Fort Sumner in 1950 where they operated a grocery store. Her husband later operated a barbershop in Fort Sumner and Bunch substituted at the Fort Sumner Public School. She was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and was a member of the Fort Sumner Bowling leagues for many years. Bunch was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner for many years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend who loved playing cards and visiting with her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband A. J. Stephenson on May 27, 1985; her parents and two sisters. Survivors include a daughter Kay Daniel of Clovis, NM; a son Jim Stephenson and wife Cathy of Cleelum, Washington. Also surviving are four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, April 21, 2000 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, Rev. Jim Peabody will officiate. Burial will follow in the Garden Of Love Section of Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bob Addison, Thomas McKinney, Geof Pate, Arvin Daniel, Steve Wright, and Bobby Russ. Honorary bearers will be David Wright, Jerad Garcia, Wes Smith, and all her many friends. The family prefers memorials to the Fannie Mae Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice in Bunch’s memory.