Mr. Larry Leon Stephenson

Larry Leon Stephenson, 68, entered into Eternal Life on May 15, 2020. Larry was born March 18, 1952 in Newport News, Virginia to Mable Stephenson. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Lillie Stephenson Torrey and Herbert Lee Stephenson, sister Regina Terry, brothers Daryl Terry and Andre Terry, and his grandsons, Kai'Shad Adkinson and Malik Stephenson. A graduate of Huntington High School's Class of 1970 and a member of the famed Soul Squad vocal performing group, Larry immediately enlisted as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, serving honorably from August 21, 1970 to August 20, 1972, to include a year-long deployment to Vietnam. During his service, Larry obtained the rank of corporal and earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Marksmanship Rifle Badge. Upon the conclusion of his military service, Larry earned his nursing license and practiced nursing at Whitaker Memorial Hospital in Newport News and at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Richmond, VA. In 1983, Larry married Lois Melton and the couple had two children, Tory Melton and Stephen Stephenson. A long-time employee of Frye Properties in Newport News, Larry was very proud to also regularly work for his brother, Orlanda Terry with whom he was very close. For several years after he concluded his career in nursing, Larry provided exceptional assistance to his beloved aunt Amanette Sessom. Ever the caregiver, for twelve of the last eighteen months of his life, Larry provided in-home nursing care to his nephew's father, helping to prolong James Cotton's life during his battle with stage 4 brain cancer. Larry is survived by his mother Mable Terry, wife Lois Stephenson, his children Enoch Bowens, DeKeshia Williams, Tonya Duggar, Tory Melton (LaTonya), and Stephan Stephenson, brothers Orlanda J. Terry (Kim), Antonio Terry, Kevin Terry, James Stephenson (Rebecca), Tony Stephenson (Charlotte), sisters Moneca Dobbins, Gale Terry, Renita Gainey, Sandra Trent, Tawanna Terry, and Gia Terry. Larry was so proud to be a grandfather to Enoch Stephon Bowens, Julian Bowens, Najee Fennel, JaTory Melton, Kendall R. Askew-Williams, Korey J. Askew-Williams, Jaylan S. Williams, TaLieka S. Williams, Erica Adkinson, Rishad Adkinson, Tremona Dugger, and Allure M. Stephenson. In addition to a host of nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren who will cherish Larry's memory are Armoni Skye Bowens, Luca Bowens, Marcheese D. Williams, Marquel D. McCord, Tamera S. Williams, Malchai M. Dixon, Evian Terry, Malia Edwards, Ramesh Adkinson, Ayri Adkinson, and Rishad Adkinson, Jr. He will also be mourned by his devoted aunt Terry Williams and uncle Andrew Stephenson. From noon to 2:00 pm on May 26th, a viewing will be held at M.E. Fischer Funeral Home, located at 2117 Madison Avenue, Newport News, VA, followed by Larry's Celebration of Life from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. A graveside service and interment will be held on May 27th at 3:00 PM at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, located at 5310 Milner's Road, Suffolk, VA, 23434.

Mr. Larry Leon Stephenson

March 18, 1952 - May 15, 2020