firmer 3for JRy JCusbcmir
O H eavenly fath er, I am nou> in the shadow ofgreat loneliness, f l y helpmate has been
taken from me. Je t, I submit in holy fa ith to your divine zvill I love my husband greatly, but you have lovingly taken him home to
rejoice zvith you in heaven. `Heavenly fath er you promised to be a fa th er fo r the fatherless and I lift my sons up to Jo u whom no other can love better, father, I than jyou for the many blessings we have received through his life.
Qod you are a great Qod and I give you a ll the praise and glory forever. Amen
`The, Plan O f `The M aster `Weaver Our lives are but fine weavings that Qod an d we prepare, Tach life becomes a fabric planned and fashioned in His care. `We, may not always seejust how the weavings intertzvine, `But we must trust
the flu sters hand and follow H is design, fo r He can view the pattern upon the upper side, `While we must lookjrom underneath and trust in Him to guide. .Sometimes a strand o fsorrow is added
to His plan, and though it's difficxdtfor us, `We still must understand that it s He zvhofills the shuttle, It s He who knows zvhat's best, So zve must weave patience and leave to Him the rest. Hot till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease tofly shall Qod unroll the canvas and explain the reason why. `The dark.threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillfu l hand as the threads o f g old and
silver in the pattern He has planned.

Active pallbearers
`Rfcfm ond County `Board of `Education Bolicc Officers
Charlie Alston joh n n y 1Beard `Theodore `Broun
(Dana `Byrd Anthony Johnson
A lfgbinson
Honorary Pallbearers
iRichmond County S heriff s' `Department `Kgppa Alpha (Psi fratern ity Qlenn H ills Class o f 1385
Jfloioer Hearers
Qreater Jou n g Zion `Baptist Church Women s fellow ship (Ministry
Achnotolebgments
`Thefam ily o f M ichael `D onnellStephenson wishes to thanlctheir manyfriends and acquaintancesfo r the thoughtfulness displayed through phone calls, visits, cards, fo o d and kind words. May Qod richly Bless you fo r
your support and prayers throughout our Bereavement
and adjustment period.
(IV j&epffensott Sfcrmtly
W. H. MAYS MORTUARY
"Professional Serxnce A Family Tradition Since 1 9 2 2 "
1221 James Brown Boulevard, Augusta, Georgia (706)722-6401

Homegotng (Celebration for
JHtrbael onnell jgtepljenson
1967 -1997 j&riurfraij, Julg 19,1997
11:00 ant. Eulaf| (SroiiE Haptist (Hburrb
1434 poplar j&trret Augusta, (Storgta Br. j&am Baitis, Pastor BReU. Bffiilliant . 3810001 (fficiating

`Program
Presiding Rev. Kenneth Gainous, Associate Minister
Greater Young Zion Baptist Church
Selection I t W illB e A llR igh t
Greater Young Zion Inspirational Choir
Scripture Rev. Andrew Carr, Associate Minster
Greater Young Zion Baptist Church
Prayer Rev. Robert Carlyle, Associate Minster
Greater Young Zion Baptist Church
Selection G et YourH ouse In O rder
Greater Young Zion Inspirational Choir
Remarks
D ea. C. N . C ody, Greater Young Zion Deacon Ministry
Mr. A dna L. S tein , President, Richmond County Board of Education
O fficer E ddie L yell, R. C. B. E. - D. P. S.
D ep uty R ichard D ixon , R. C. S. O.
Mr. T on y B e lse r, A Friend
A cknow ledgm ents Sis. Louise Edwards
Duet Sis. Patricia Johnson & Sis. Teresa Blount
Eulogy Pastor William B. Blount Greater Young Zion Baptist
Church
R ecessio n al Jesu s W ill W elcom e M e H om e
Greater Young Zion Inspirational Choir
Interm ent Hillcrest Memorial Park

1A P art o f America PHed
July 16,1997
Somebody kitted a potice officer today... and a part of America died. A piece o f our country tie swore to protect w ilt be buried
with Him at bis side. The suspect wbo shot bim w iltstand up in court demanding bis rights white a widow and mother must w orkjor the kids and
spend many tong, tonety nights. Phe streets where he worked was a batttefietd too ...ju st as if he dgone off to w ar... though theflag o f our nation won 'tfly
at hatfmast. Somebody kitted a peace officer today ...i t happened in your town and mine. White we stept in our comfort behind locked doors Mike put his life on the line. 9{pw his spirit has the beat
on a dorf city street and he stands at each rookie s side . Mike answered the call, o fhimselfgave his all and a part o fAmerica died.
Author Unkfiozon Inspired 'Ey - Cot. 'Thomas A. 9{ash, CSKfl L a w `Enforcement 'Training Center
%fsptctfully Submitted 'Ey - Cpt Jackie 'Turner, 'KJTET.'M'S

OBITUARY
Michael Donnell Stephenson was bom to Sammy
and Alma Stephenson on November 20, 1967at St. Joseph Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. He departed his earthly life to be home with the Lord on Wednesday, July 16, 1997.
Michael grew up in Augusta and attended W.S. Hornsby and Glenn Hills Elementary Schools. He attended Glenn Hills High School where he graduated in 1985. Michael furthered his education at Clark College in Atlanta before entering the United States Army where he receive and Honorable Discharge. He served our country in Saudi Arabia as a part of the U.S. Army Reserves. He then attended and completed the CSRA Law Enforcement Training Center.
He was employed by the Richmond County Sheriff s Department from August of 1991 until July of 1995. He was named "Deputy of the Year " in December of 1992. Michael was most recently employed at the Richmond County Board of Education Department of Public Safety as a Police Officer where he impacted the lives of many children and staff until he lost his life in the line of duty.
He was also a member of the Gamma Kappa Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS THEE, AND MAKE THEE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY THEE. Genesis 28:3
On June 9, 1992 he was joined in Holy Matrimony to Sonja Michelle Stone. Michael was a devoted and loved husband and father of two sons, Jerel and Michael Aaron.
Bro. Stephenson was a faithful member of the Greater Young Zion Baptist church and was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord, his family, and his church.
He leaves to cherish his memory: a devoted wife, Sonja Michelle Stephenson; two sons, Jerel Donnell and Michael Aaron; parents, Sammy and Alma Stephenson; father-in-law and motLer-in-iaw, Marion and Lula Stone, two brothers, Nathan Bernard Stephenson and Kelvin Dennis Stephenson; a brother-and-sister-in-law, Dwayne and Vivian Stone, maternal grandparents, Albert and Louise Lewis; grandmother-in-law, Ozzie Stone of Augusta; grandmother, Dorothy Cook of Fort Worth, Texas; two nephews, one niece and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.