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Laura Lee Stephenson Dearman, age 78, of Monticello passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2017. She was born July 27, 1939, in Monticello, AR, a daughter of the late Raymond Earl Stephenson, Sr. and Frances Raoul Stephenson. Growing up in Monticello, she was a graduate of Monticello High School and attended Arkansas A & M College where she was member of Phi Sigma Chi sorority and 1957 Homecoming Queen which was a title she held in common with her mother. While at A & M she met her husband Charles Fred Dearman, Sr. Charlie played football and worked part time at Stephenson Funeral Home with her father, a firm that was founded in 1928, by her grandfather Edward Lee Stephenson. They were united in marriage December 22, 1957, at her parent’s home. After a year in Dallas, TX, they moved back to Monticello into a funeral home apartment. She took over the office from her father and was the only secretary the business had until years later when she trained someone for the job. Laura Lee was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Monticello, a former officer of Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home, Stephenson-Dearman Burial Association, a member of U.D.C and D.A.R.
Surviving are two sons Charles Fred “Chuck” Dearman, Jr. and spouse Cindy of Monticello, AR, and David Earl Dearman of Little Rock, AR. Three grandchildren, Haley Diane Dearman of New Orleans, LA; Charles F. “Chad” Dearman, III, of Little Rock, AR and Alexandra Nicole Dearman of Nashville, TN. Two brothers Raymond Earl “Ray” Stephenson, Jr. of Monticello, AR and Robert Raoul Stephenson of Olive Branch, MS. One sister Susan Stephenson Smith of Little Rock, AR. One niece Ashley Vestal and two nephews Bobby Stephenson and Brian Smith. In addition to her husband, a granddaughter, Savannah Ashley Dearman preceded her in death.
Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 8, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Monticello with Rev. Dennis Spence and Rev. Buddy Lemons officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service in the Family Life Center at First United Methodist Church. A private family burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. Memorials are preferred to First United Methodist Church, 317 South Main St., Monticello, AR 71655.
Surviving are two sons Charles Fred “Chuck” Dearman, Jr. and spouse Cindy of Monticello, AR, and David Earl Dearman of Little Rock, AR. Three grandchildren, Haley Diane Dearman of New Orleans, LA; Charles F. “Chad” Dearman, III, of Little Rock, AR and Alexandra Nicole Dearman of Nashville, TN. Two brothers Raymond Earl “Ray” Stephenson, Jr. of Monticello, AR and Robert Raoul Stephenson of Olive Branch, MS. One sister Susan Stephenson Smith of Little Rock, AR. One niece Ashley Vestal and two nephews Bobby Stephenson and Brian Smith. In addition to her husband, a granddaughter, Savannah Ashley Dearman preceded her in death.
Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 8, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Monticello with Rev. Dennis Spence and Rev. Buddy Lemons officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service in the Family Life Center at First United Methodist Church. A private family burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. Memorials are preferred to First United Methodist Church, 317 South Main St., Monticello, AR 71655.