Mrs. Alice Bedenbaugh Stephens

Alice Bell Bedenbaugh Stephens entered this life on Thursday October 23rd, 1924. She was the youngest daughter of the twelve Bedenbaugh children born to the late Robert O'Neal Bedenbaugh and Mary Magdalene Wise Bedenbaugh in Little Mountain, South Carolina. She went home to be with the Lord on Thursday December 12th, 2019. Alice grew up in a large and loving family. She would oftenrelate the adventures of her youth with her siblings Ruth Tecora (Griffin), Sallie Willie (Gallman), Agnes Beatrice, Ralph O'Neal, David Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth (Williams), Mary Rebecca (Womack), Judia who died as a child, John Edward, Joseph Virgie, Joseph Nathaniel. Alice was the last surviving member of her generation. Alice met and married the late Allen Ted Stephens in 1967. She resided in Little Mountain, South Carolina for much of her life before spending her final years under the loving care of her daughter Ava in Columbia, South Carolina. Alice was a strong believer in education. She attended primary school at Mt. Hebron AME Elementary School, Shiloh Junior High in Prosperity, and Brewer Norman High School, in Greenwood. She graduated from Bell Street High School in Clinton, South Carolina. Upon completion of high school, she attended Allen University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1952. She began her work career in the Richland County Public School System in 1953 as a substitute teacher. She then worked as a Nurse Assistant at Newberry County Hospital from 1954 to 1956. She worked in the Lowman Home in White Rock, S.C. from 1970 until her retirement in 1995. She faithfully attended Mt. Hebron AME Church. Alice held many posts during her lifelong membership at Mt. Hebron, including Sunday School Superintendent, Young People's Department (YPD) Director, Stewardess, Missionary Society and Senior Choir member. Alice accepted the Lord, Jesus Christ as her Savior at a very young age. She had a very kind and humble spirit that attracted people of all ages. She mentored young and older individuals and lead them to Christ by the way she lived her life. She was a very forgiving person that did not hold grudges against others. Alice lived her life based on Proverbs 3:5. She trusted in the Lord with all her heart and she did not allow her own understanding to guide her but allowed Jesus to lead her. She acknowledged the Lord in everything she did. She always read her Bible and prayed for others. Alice is survived by her three children David Bedenbaugh (Andrea) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Ava Bedenbaugh McKie (Michael Sr. - deceased) of Columbia, South Carolina; and Pinckney Laffette Stephens of Atlanta, Georgia. Three grandchildren, Michael Carl McKie Jr. (Jasmine) of Columbia, South Carolina, Daniel Marcus Bedenbaugh and Jenell Oliva Wade of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Four great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Taliah, Ariah, and Elijah Mckie of Columbia, South Carolina; and numerous grand and great-grand nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends at the home of her daughter, Ava B. Mckie (1501 Crestview Ave, Columbia, SC 29223).

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Mount Hebron A.M.E. Church, 287 Mount Hebron Road, Pomaria, SC (viewing one hour prior to the service). Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  You may send flowers to a local florist (B&B Florist and Gifts,1193 Wilson Road, Newberry, SC Phone Number (803) 276-3774).

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