Doris Ainsworth Stephenson

Doris Ainsworth Stephenson, 86, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, April 30, 2013. She was born on August 14, 1926, in Beaumont, TX to James Delmer (Del) and Macie Bell Lemley Ainsworth. She graduated from Bay City High School in 1942. She later traveled to Chicago where she lived for a brief time and worked as a model for Saks Fifth Avenue during the war. When the end of WWII was declared, she was walking on Michigan Avenue where she joined in the joyous celebrations. She was passionate about her family and church. She was an avid reader, traveler and learner, eventually earning degrees in History, English Literature, and the Library Sciences. She authorized two biographies, Macie?s Book of Remembrance about her mother and Out of Heaven about her own life. She was a member of Hickory Valley Community Church of God of Prophecy, and a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her spouse of 53 years, Ray Clifton Stephenson; her sisters, Marie (Sunny) Ainsworth Arvey Marks, Virginia Kain Grisham, Bernice (Bunny) Kain Dodd, and brothers-in-law, Ralph Littlejohn and Albert (Buddy) Dodd. Survivors include her children: Douglas Stephenson and wife Judy of Rossville, GA, Molly S. Wyatt of Murfreesboro, TN, Colleen Womack and husband, Larry of Chattanooga, TN, and Donna Brogdon of McDonald, TN; grandchildren: Brucene (Juan) Vera, Amanda (Bryan) Owen, Holly (Greg) Weaver, Adam (Jennifer) Wyatt, Mendy Brooks, David (Tina) Stephenson, and Lynette (Jeramey) Rittenhouse; and great-grandchildren: Isabela, Lorenzo, and Lucas Vera; Andrew, Hayden, Peyton, and Emma Kate Owen; Nick, Lauren, Audrey, and Lindsey Weaver; Calvin and Shelby Wyatt; Grant and Ava Brooks; Jaden, Anna Grace, Reagan, and Leigha Stephenson; Kain Brogdon and Brittney Rittenhouse. She is also survived by her sister, Mamie Kain Littlejohn of Hampton, GA, and brother, Tom (Carolyn) Kain of Matagorda, TX, and many nieces and nephews. The Remembrance of Life Service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013 at the Hickory Valley Community Church with the Reverend Duke Stone and the Reverend Douglas Stephenson officiating. Entombment will follow the service in Hamilton Memorial Gardens, 5351 Highway 153, Hixson, TN. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends at the Heritage Funeral Home at 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013 and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Stephenson family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.