Patsy Stephens

Patsy Ruth Higgins Stephens of Jonesboro passed away on September 26, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born July 16, 1938, Patsy was the youngest of nine children of C. H. and Jimmie Lou Higgins. She grew up in Nettleton and graduated from Nettleton High School in 1956. After graduation, she worked in the office at Pardew’s Department Store. She later began a 31-year career with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, where she worked with the Nutrition Education Program until her retirement.

Patsy married Raymond Stephens in 1960, and they were married for 47 years until his death in 2007. They had one daughter, Angie, and made their home in Jonesboro.

Faith was an important part of Patsy’s life. She grew up attending the Nettleton Church of Christ. After marrying Raymond, she joined Union Grove Baptist Church, and they were later members of Temple Baptist Church. Even when illness prevented her from attending church in person, her faith remained an important part of her life.

Outside of her work, Patsy was an excellent homemaker and talented cook who could make almost anything. She was especially known for her coconut cakes, made from her mother’s recipe. She loved working in her yard, designing beautiful flower arrangements, decorating her home and entertaining family and friends during the holidays.

To her family and friends, Patsy will be remembered as a beautiful lady who was kind, loving and honest. She was independent and determined, loved spending time with the people closest to her, and was known for giving good advice and always having an encouraging word when someone needed it.

To Angie, she was not only a mother but also her best friend and was always ready with a pep talk. To her only granddaughter, Ava, she was “Nana.” They shared a very close relationship, and Patsy was especially proud of her granddaughter.

Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Stephens; her parents, C. H. and Jimmie Lou Higgins; and her eight siblings, Newton Higgins, Clarence (Earline) Higgins, Clifford (Eadie) Higgins, Lady Maude Higgins Shockley, Marvin (Martha) Higgins, James (Billie) Higgins, Minford (Betty) Higgins and Lois Faye Higgins. She was the last surviving of the nine Higgins children.

She is survived by her daughter, Angie Dickson (Brian); her granddaughter, Ava Dickson of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Saturday, October 3. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m., with John Miles of First Methodist Church of Jonesboro officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Van Higgins, Zach Cook, Craig Miller, Dennis Dickson, Ross Westbrook, Junior Higgins and Gary Higgins. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Harris, Dr. Ben Owens, Gary “Sonny” Thompson, Wiley Ward and Rick Carter.

For lasting memorials, donations may be made to the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews Ave., Jonesboro, AR 72401.