STEPHENS, James Albert, 83, of Lebanon, Ohio, formerly of New Hill, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, December 31, 2021 at University of Cincinnati Hospital in West Chester, Ohio.  Born on September 15, 1938 to James Fletcher and Veatrice (nee: Moore) Stephens in Cary, NC.

Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his wife, Sandra Lee (nee: Rhodes) Stephens, two sons, Ashley (Karen) Stephens of New Hill, NC, Mark (Randi) Stephens of Centerville, UT, one daughter, Stephanie (Samuel) Howard of Lebanon, Ohio, one brother, William Earl (Sonny) Stephens, three sisters, Tanya Aldridge, Barbara Morris and Sandra Kay Dominick, 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.  His love of family, friends and faith knew no bounds.

Jim was a 1956 graduate of Cary High School and a 1962 Master's Degree from North Carolina State University.  Summer of 1962 he taught at a gifted Summer School at Western Carolina University where he met and got engaged to Sandra Lee Rhodes, a graduate of Western Carolina University from Arden, NC.  His career began as a teacher at LeRoy Martin Middle School and Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.  His career path took a different direction as he was recruited by IBM where he worked for 25 years.  He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Apex, NC.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served his fellow members in many capacities: Bishop, Stake Presidency in the Raleigh, NC Temple, a 3-year mission in the Salt Lake City South Mission from 1998-2001 and most recently as Stake Patriarch.

Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a missionary fund of your choice. Arrangements made by the Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home, Lebanon. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hoskinsfh.com .