Reverend Elizabeth Chipley Stephens

The Reverend Elizabeth Chipley Stephens, 88, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at NHC Hillview. A memorial service and a Christian burial of ashes will be held at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Williamsport United Methodist Church with Rev. Donna Higginbotham officiating. Oakes & Nichols is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be made to Williamsport United Methodist Church, c/o Lauren Hall, 3609 Old Williamsport Road, Williamsport, TN 38487. Condolences may be offered online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Reverend Stephens was born on December 2, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late Glenn Baldwin Chipley and Marguerite Carreras Chipley. Following her graduation from Washington University she married John J. Stephens in 1951. She and Mr. Stephens traveled extensively abroad during his tenure with the Central Intelligence Agency. Following his death in 1967 in the service of his country, Mrs. Stephens accepted a position with the Central Intelligence Agency in overt operations. She then pursued several additional degrees and graduated from the University of South Florida and also from The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the University of the South. She became an Episcopal deacon and then later an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church serving the following churches: Salem UMC, Farriss Chapel UMC, Old Lebanon UMC, Hayes Chapel UMC, Cedar Grove UMC, Shady Grove UMC, Williamsport UMC, Mt. Nebo UMC, Santa Fe UMC, Goshen UMC, Union UMC, Godwin-Chappell UMC and Theta UMC. She is survived by her nephew, Robert Chipley of Vienna, Virginia and her nieces, Mrs. Anne Playe of Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. Louise Slavicek of Dublin, Ohio and Mrs. Joan Hart of Waukeeshaw, Wisconsin. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three siblings. The family would like to extend their gratitude to NHC Hillview, Mr. Edward Moore and all of the nursing staff and techs who cared for Mrs. Stephens during her stay there.