STEPHENS, DR. IDA LOU BROWN - retired principal of Linden Elementary School in Oak Ridge, TN, passed away Sunday, October 21, 2012. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, William A. Stephens, Jr.; parents, Lester and Lattie Cherry Brown of Arcot in Clay County, TN; brothers, Carmon and Melvin Brown; and sister, Lavelle Sharp. She is survived by the love of her life, Lee Vandewalker; daughters, Melaney Stephens, Dr. Michelle Stephens; and son, Bates Stephens; nephews, Mayfield, Mel, Watson, Mack, Mel E. Brown, and Leo Sharp, Jr.; great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; step daughters, Jill (David) Krebs, Jan Huddleston; step grandchildren, Mimi, Katie, Amanda, Jeremy; step-great grandchildren. Dr. Stephens received her bachelor, Master and Doctorate Degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She began her career as a school lunch supervisor and U.T. extension agent in Pikeville, TN. After moving to Knoxville she taught sixth grade at Bearden Elementary School and later served as Vice Principal and then Principal at Linden Elementary School. She also worked with UT-Martin. She was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and active in various organizations such as Knox County Retired Teachers, Oak Ridge Altrusa, Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary and West Knox Rotary Clubs, Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma. Always interested in politics she was looking forward to voting in the 2012 Presidential election. Dr. Stephens loved her students and treasured the friendships made from her education career. She was blessed with so many wonderful friends. The family thanks each and every one of those friends for their loving support. Per Dr. Stephens' request her body was donated to UT Medical School in Memphis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Linden Elementary School Media Project, Dr. Shirley Holt-Hale, 1025 W. Outer Dr. Oak Ridge, TN 37830; NAMI Tennessee, 1101 Kermit Dr. Ste. 605 Nashville, TN 37217-2126; National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 214 Overlook Circle, Ste. 153 Brentwood, TN 37027. The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Thursday November 1 at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, with services following at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend Dr. Jerry Taylor officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com. Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel is in charge of arrangements.












Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on October 26, 2012