Jeanita Stephens

Jeanita Ann Stephens age 79, a resident of Gautier, MS passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 peacefully at her home with her beloved husband by her side. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Peercy and Francille Peercy.

Left behind to cherish her memory is her eternally loving husband and best friend of 54 years and 11 months, Alvin D. Stephens of Gautier, MS.

Jeanita was a native of Tulare, CA., and grew up in Bakersfield, CA., she earned her degree at San Jose State University.  She was an Interior designer in Menlo Park, CA., and Alamogordo, NM where she also taught at Alamogordo High School.  After moving to the MS Gulf Coast, she taught at Grace Academy in Ocean Springs, and later taught sign language to numerous people at the Gautier Library.  She was most proud of hosting and teaching several international exchange students from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic and Belarus.  She loved painting pictures in watercolor and oils, teaching sign language, collecting art and reading.  She was an active member of Grace Baptist Church of Ocean Springs.

Jeanita loved people, especially children.  She also had a great love for animals as well and always had anywhere from 1 to 4 pets at one time.  Jeanita always had a smile on her face and was smiling to the end when God sent an angel to take her hand and bring her home.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A visitation for friends will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Ocean Springs on Thursday, April 14, 2022 from 1:30 p.m. until the 2:30 p.m. funeral service.  Burial will follow in the Jackson County Memorial Park Cemetery in Pascagoula.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd., in West Jackson County is proudly serving the family.  An online register can be viewed, and condolences shared at www.riemannfamily.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the church for the Beams Bible Ministry.