Elinor "Tootsie" Mae Stephens Obituary (1935 - 2010)

Elinor ?Tootsie? Mae Stephens went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 4th, surrounded by her family at home. She was the daughter of Benjamin Nelson Cook and Opal Ruth (Gibson) Cook. She was born at noon on August 7, 1935 just when the Commander Mills whistle was sounding, prompting her Dad to nickname her ?Tootsie?. She was always proud of her hometown and to be called a Sandite. She attended school in Sand Springs. On January 30th, 1954 she married the love of her life, Jimmie Dale Stephens. They were married for 44 years until his death in 1998. She is survived by son, Michael Stephens, daughters, Karen Howard, Jammie and Mike Edwards, and Lisa and Keith Fairchild. Grandchildren, Ben Stephens, Tim Stephens, Sarah Scruggs, Stephanie Edwards, Stephen Edwards, and Emily Fairchild. Great Grandchildren, Ian Stephens, Jill Schrock, Elle Schrock, Abby Stephens, and Lilly Stephens. She has one brother, Phillip and his wife Bobbie Cook. She felt blessed to have a best friend, Maxine Bolding Tillman. They had a wonderful friendship that lasted for over 70 years. Tootsie will always be known for the love and compassion that she showed to everyone. While she was working as a secretary for Lake School in Sand Springs, all of the children felt especially close to her. It was at that time that she opened her home for the holidays and summer breaks to the children at the Sand Springs Home. She always had room in her home for them. She would still get phone calls and visits from them. There weren?t very many things that Tootsie couldn?t do. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, doll making, crocheting, and many types of crafts. Her main love was in researching her family tree. She worked for many years connecting with family that she had traced through genealogy. But, her family was her life. She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had a deep and close relationship with God, which was evident in her life. She set an example for her family and friends to follow. She leaves behind many friends and loved ones, each life being changed for the good just by knowing her. Her legacy of love will live on. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, 10:00 a.m., December 7, 2010 at Lake United Methodist Church at 7750 W. 14th Street, Tulsa. Officiating was Darrell Sellars and burial followed at Woodland Memorial Park in Sand Springs. Online memorials may be left for the family at www.dillonfuneralservices.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Dillon Funeral Home of Sand Springs.