JERRY BELL STEPHENS
passed away on Wednesday February 1, 2023, in Little Rock, Ark. Jerry, the fourth child of James Paul Stephens and Leah Bricker Stephens, was born in South Whitley, Ind., on January 9, 1929.
Preceded in death was his grandfather, Dr. B. A. Stephens, and grandparents, Victor and Bertha Bricker; siblings Steve, Joe, Virginia Ann, Caroline, and Dick.
He is survived by his wife, Wynelle; and brother, Lee Stephens; son, Walter (Regina); and grandson, Walter Jr. (Miranda); great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Cameron, Eva, Isaac, Wyatt; and granddaughter, Anne Gallagher (Scott); and great-grandchildren, Foy, Noella, Blaise; and grandson, John Stephens; son, Robert (Phoebe); and grandsons, Charles and Thomas.
After attending St. Andrews boarding school at Sewanee, Tenn., Jerry’s hard work ethic led him to many interesting jobs. One of the most memorable was a morning disc jockey at WELO in Tupelo. Miss. At the time, listeners requests were mailed into the station addressed only to Mr. High Low and Hot, Tupelo. Jerry played a mix of gospel, country/ western and folk music. At that time Elvis Presley was growing up in Tupelo and would have probably listened to Jerry’s wide variety of music.
Jerry eventually moved on to attend Memphis State and met Wynelle ‘Nell’ on a tennis court next to Methodist Hospital where she was in nursing school. They married in Paragould, Ark., December 21, 1951.
The Korean War had started, and Jerry enlisted into the Air Force and ‘flew a desk’ at Pepperell AFB in St. Johns, Newfoundland, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. He claimed he was qualified for that position because he was a good typist and could speedily dispatch travel orders.
After closing out his duty in New York, Jerry and Nell moved to back to Arkansas, and subsequently Birmingham, Ala., for pharmacy school at Samford University. He was licensed in Alabama and Arkansas 1959, and they moved to Little Rock.
His entrepreneurial instincts began, and Jerry went on to establish Baseline, Landmark, and Healthcare Pharmacies. Jerry also established Medical Arts Optical in Hot Springs while owning Medical Arts Pharmacy. He was a partner in the Rix Professional Building renovation in Hot Springs. He also started Pharmacy Management Services managing hospitals pharmacies.
He started a turf farm in Paragould, and we joked that he was now in the grass and drug business. Jerry had many business partners and was always willing to work hard to make the partnerships successful. Over the years as a pharmacy owner, he employed and was mentors to many young pharmacists.
Jerry was very active at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral including serving on the Stewardship Committee and Senior Warden positions. Jerry served on the Camp Mitchell Board of Directors and the Good Shepard Ecumenical Retirement Center. He was president of Catholic High PTO and worked hard to establish the annual Junktique fundraising sale. Jerry helped with fundraising for planting of trees in front of Catholic High’s building. He also hosted three foreign exchange students from Bolivia, Chris Roda, Roxana and Olivia Justiniano, who always called him Dad.
Jerry was awarded the Rotary Club 99 Paul Harris Fellow Award. Jerry received an award of merit form Arkansas Pharmacy Association in 1982 for founding of Associated Pharmacies, Incorporated. On June 14, 2008, honored for 50 years of faithful service from Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy.
He loved Nell deeply and took great care of her at their home as she succumbed to dementia over the past few years. He will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, employees and caregivers.
Services will be held Saturday, February 11th, 11 a.m., St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, located at 20900 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72223. A reception will follow immediately.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Arkansas Pharmacists Association Phoenix Fund, 417 S. Victory Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201. 501-372-5250. Please put Jerry Stephens in the memo. Arrangements are under the arrangement of RuebelFuneralHome.com