Betty June Stephens

Betty June Melrose Stephens, of Mineral Wells, passed away June 24, 2025 at the impressive age of 98. She was born June 21, 1927 in Parkersburg, a daughter of the late Joseph J. and Lena Robinson Melrose.

She was a graduate from Parkersburg High School and attended Glenville State College where she went to school in the summer while teaching elementary school during the school year. She began her teaching career in 1947 at the Sycamore School, which was a one-room school house. Traveling with her husband, who made a career as a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army, she taught abroad in several countries. While stationed in Japan, she had a bride’s school. Upon returning to Parkersburg, she was a teacher at McKinley Elementary School. Later, to help her son with starting his new company, she went back to school to study bookkeeping and became an Office Manager for Phoenix Associates.

She was an avid fan of her children’s and grandchildren’s sports teams, including the Big Reds, Parkersburg South Lady Patriots, Glenville Pioneers, and Marshall Thundering Herd. She was “Grandma Betty” to a multitude of basketball players over the years. Most recently, she has supported the Tennessee Lady Vols as the proud grandmother of the head coach. As both a teacher and sports fan, she cared deeply for the children of her communities and worked to enrich their lives.

Betty was an active member of BSF at Grace Baptist Church, attending classes in person even at age 97. She was also a longtime member of PEO, and of the St. Andrews’ United Methodist Church. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life and she was a great disciple of Jesus.

Left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Marqueta Stephens of Parkersburg; daughter-in-law, Linda Stephens of Mineral Wells; three granddaughters, Anne McCalla (Paul), Jill Huizenga (Kurt), and Kim Caldwell (Justin); three great-grandsons, Nate and Jake Huizenga, and Conor Caldwell; sister-in-law, Helen Melrose; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Stephens; a son, Scott Stephens; two sisters, Lettie Morris (Bob) and JoAnn Wolfe (Russell); and two brothers, Frank “Freel” Melrose and Mark Melrose (Wanda Lou).

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Lambert Tatman Funeral Home, Pike St., South Parkersburg with Pastors Ray Maleke and Paul Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Big Tygart Cemetery, Rockport. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service, Wednesday, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to the Scott Stephens Scholarship Fund, c/o GSU Foundation, Glenville State College, 200 High Street, Glenville, WV 26351 or to a charity of your choice.

Lambert Tatman Funeral Home, South Parkersburg, is honored to serve the Stephens family.