Lana C. Stephenson

RALEIGH – Lana Joyce Crowson Stephenson, 67, passed away on Wednesday at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh. Born in Louisville, Mississippi, Lana was the daughter of Joyce S. Crowson and the late Herald H. Crowson. Private funeral services will be held at a later date. She is survived by her husband, Charlie Stephenson; daughters, Kimberly Ford (Brad), Fallon Jones (Matt); grandchildren, Jessica Mitchell (Dustin), Stephen, Mason, Devin, Bryon, Savanna, Colton and Ella Ford, Presley and Blaine Jones; great grandchildren, Ryver and Ashton Mitchell; sister, Jan Williams (Carl); niece, Jennifer Moore (Kevin); great niece, Micah Moore and a large loving extended family that includes many special friends. Lana was a loving, selfless person who retired after 30 years of service with Bell South. She loved her family fiercely, especially her grandchildren. She was brilliant and funny without even trying. She enjoyed racing, Motown Music, dancing, beach music, planning and hosting parties. She volunteered with senior citizens and actively served her Lord. She was a tarheel fan and loved the Marine Corps. Lana was the glue that held her family together. Lanas smile could brighten the room. She was never negative, always seeing the good in everyone and everything. She was a world-renown storyteller, entertaining her grandchildren with exciting tales of her childhood. She embellished them each time they were told, making them better the more she told them. She loved to travel. Her favorite trip was an Alaskan cruise. She absolutely enjoyed herself, especially when the love of her life presented her with a huge diamond ring she had been wanting forever. Lana looked forward to the annual family trips to their condo at Myrtle Beach and spending time at their beach house.. She made so many wonderful memories with her family, taking them to shows, watching them play on the beach, and just being together. Lana was a prolific shopper. QVC actually sent her birthday cards because she was a faithful client. She loved midnight shopping with her sister. She loved late night phone calls, watching ANDY GRIFFITH, MATLOCK, and other syndicated shows with Jan over the phone. She was a lover of collections, such as historic dolls, lighthouses, churches, angels, and anything with the Marine Corps on it. She was generous to a fault and the peacemaker in the family. Lana was a good girl. Enough said! She will be loved and missed deeply by all who knew her. Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, www.stjude.org. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com