elton b stephens obituary

Birmingham and Mountain Brook police, as well as the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, responded. He was a loving husband and a faithful friend. A pair of kidnappers has been arrested after abducting a retired Alabama businessman and forcing him to pay a $250,000 ransom to gain his freedom, AL.com reports.. If it were split equally between her three children, they would walk away with a cool $600 million each before taxes and fees. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. That led them to the location where Stephens had been taken. Determining the richest person in the state is simply not an exact science. After they left, he went to a friends home to call police. After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. The U.S. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A search is underway for the man convicted in the kidnapping of prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens after he was accidentally released from jail. Another decade and another career success later Elton announced that he would sell Alabama Bancorp and all its associated holdings, worth some $280 million, to Bancorp South. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and is a graduate of Yale University and the Harvard Business School. the average Stephens family member If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Hodges told investigators Stephens had given the items to them willingly, but court records stated that they said they would kill him if he called anyone. Stephens was married to Alys Robinson. Marston graduated from Bossier High School and joined the United States ARMY. The following summer, Elton B. Stephens assembled and coordinated a team of friends to assist him; and he learned that he was not only a good salesman, but also a good manager. The city and state honored Stephens' support of civic projects by renaming the Red Mountain Expressway the "Elton B. Stephens Expressway" on Sept. 11, 1975. [1][2] Stephens graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1932. when he died at the age of 93. On December 14th, he succeeded. All rights reserved (About Us). It has a great diversity in businesses that include information services, publishing and digital media, outdoor products, real estate, manufacturing and general services. Stephens, Jr. most recently served as . Eventually the group left the house with Stephens in a vehicle with Burke, and Hodges following in another vehicle with her two kids. In order to avoid impeachment, Richard M. Nixon announced that he would resign on August 8th, the first President to do so. BIRMINGHAM, AL Prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens, Jr. was kidnapped from his Birmingham home Friday and ordered to pay $250,000 ransom to be released, according to police . Burke went on to say, according to testimony, that he had bought the house two weeks before which was not true. Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, USA (acting as Explosives Subcontractor to Main Demolition Contractor, Lindamood Demolition of Irving. can stop at any time. But the former racecar driver is also undoubtedly one of the richest residents of Alabama, having succeeded his father at the helm of Barber's Dairy. There will be a service to celebrate his life at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro with the Rev. His father Elton B. Stephens started the company . Elton B. Stephens is among four artists who will be inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame during its induction banquet Saturday at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center in Florence. Survivors include his wife, Kathy Stephens of Tarrytown; two sisters, Claudette Stephens Drury and husband Kenneth of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Jessie Stephens Cook and husband Kenneth of Kilgore, Texas; one brother, William Stephens of Gwinnett County; and several nieces and nephews. Enter He's currently 80 years old and is the richest man in Alabama. Named by Forbes as the 66th richest family in America, the Stephenses of Birmingham reportedly had a net worth of $4 billion as of last year. Mr. Elton China, life journey began on Wednesday, October 7, 1942, born to the late Mr. James and Mrs. Carrie China to a large family of ten siblings. Founder and chairman of the board of EBSCO Industries, Inc., Elton Bryson Stephens was born August 4, 1911, to parents Clara Stuckey and James Nelson Stephens in Clio, Alabama. To send flowers Brooke. Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. Burkes co-defendant, Tabatha Nicole Hodges, is set to have a change of plea hearing on Aug. 31. While many of those contributions resulted in Stephens' name or names being attached to projects (theAlys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center atUAB or the Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern College) most were made without any such lasting recognition. Mr. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an brief illness. Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens whose family was ranked by Forbes magazine in 2014 as the 66th wealthiest in America - did not know his abductors. The binding plea agreement calls for Burke to be sentenced to 17 years in federal prison. Joni Money said sheriffs officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding Burkes release but said they did not have any documentation that Burke was to remain in custody. Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are charged with burglary, kidnapping an adult for ransom, extortion and theft of property. The most disturbing images were of children - a daycare center was hit by the bomb. Williams, 34, was hit at about 2:28 a.m. after exiting her disabled vehicle on the Elton B. Stephens Expressway. Alys was his mother, the wife of Elton B. Stephens, Sr. Elton "Sonny" Meiring, age 88 of Celina, Ohio, formerly of Minster, died at 7:29 PM on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, Ohio. [2] For charitable contributions to the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Stephens Family Gallery is named in his family's honor. "I can't say enough about what the Stephens family has done and continue to do for this community," she said. Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. Basing his operation in Birmingham, Alabama, Elton soon had salesmen hawking titles all over the Southeast, including as World War II began at nearby Fort McClellan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Frink Stephens and a sister, Cecile Stephens Kennedy. He was born on June 21, 1934 in Minster, Ohio to the late Frank & Rose (Jacobs) Meiring. On July 1, Brooke retired as CEO of EBSCO Industries, replaced by Tim Collins, the former president of EBSCO Information Services. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. He was a member and deacon of Voice of GraceMinistries in Vidalia. ", The map above shows some of the various connections to the Stephens family in the Birmingham area. Court records show Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are [] All rights reserved (About Us). The Red Mountain Expressway, Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, and the 99,500-square-foot Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern College were all named in honor of the family's charitable work and donations. Though the Stephens family's denying the $4 billion figure leaves major questions unanswered, the Stephenses are clearly some of the wealthiest people in the state, and they should be on any shortlist of potential heirs to Harbert's title. (Click on the pins for more information.). A small-town boy, 11 Elton quickly learned the value of money. Those who knew him believe his philanthropy was driven by his own struggles growing up in Clio in Barbour County and living through the Great Depression. Matthew Amos Burke (Jefferson County Jail). Brooke joined EBSCO in. Elton B Stephens Elton Stephens (1911 - 2005) Jump to: Biography Memories . Stephens became one of the first members of the United Way's Million Dollar Roundtable of top contributors and he established the Alabama Percent Club, which honors businesses that give 10 percent, 5 percent or 2 percent of pre-tax income to charity. Help paint a picture of Elton so that he is always remembered. Stephens gave $1 million to theUnited Way of Central Alabama in 1997, one of many large personal donations he made to the charitable group. He was the son of James Nelson and Clara Stuckey Stephens. 1973, and has spent the past eight and a half years serving as President and CEO only the third President in EBSCO's 70- year history. A small-town boy, 11 Elton quickly learned the value of money. Sadly, Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Mr. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an briefillness. Elton and Jim also contributed $15 million towards the $26 million Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern. In 1937, by the time he was 26 years old, on May 28th, the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge opened to cars. [2] He donated $15 million to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, where he was chairman of its board of trustees, and where the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center was named after his late wife. He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworkingand tinkering. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. At one point, earlier testimony showed, Burke told Stephens if he did anything to make Hodges feel uncomfortable, it wont end well for you.. Surviving is a son, Charles Garry (Barbara) Stephens of Fuquay Varina, NC; grandson, James Edward (Madison Pace fianc) Stephens of Fuquay Varina, NC; a nephew, Albert M. (Carol) Kennedy of Schwenksville, PA; and a niece, Cecilia Kennedy (Donald) Mayall of Pennsburg, PA. Birmingham and Mountain Brook police, as well as the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, responded. Mr. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an briefillness. On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. What started as Military Service Co. selling magazine subscriptions to military bases evolved to become EBSCO Industries, a global company with nearly 6,000 employees and nearly 50 different companies operating in 23 countries. Elton B. Stephens 1911 - 2005 2020 Inductee. Roughly two hours of the abduction were recorded on Stephens sleep apnea app. Matthew Burke and Tabatha Hodges pleaded guilty on federal charges in the abduction of Elton B. Stephens, Jr. Burke and Hodges admit to kidnapping Stephens from his home last year and attempting to get a ransom of $250,000. Select the pencil to add details. The woman who took part in the kidnapping of prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has been sentenced to federal prison. Burke and his girlfriend, Tabatha Hodges, both pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping and bank fraud. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are charged with abducting Alabama businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr.whose family is 66th on Forbes' list of the richest clans, AL.com . Matthew Amos Burke, 35, was being . [7] They had two sons, Elton B. Stephens Jr. and James T. Stephens, and two daughters, Jane S. Comer and Dell S. TheAlabama State Council on the Arts presented Stephens with its Jonnie Dee Little Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 in recognition of his financial contributions in support of the arts. Unlock the mysteries of your family history and explore the rich tapestry of your past with AncientFaces. Burke was transferred to the Jefferson County Jail from a neighboring agency which was holding Burke for the feds Nov. 24 to attend court. Two people have been arrested and are being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond following the kidnapping and release of prominent retired businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. "Elton . Read more about the life story of Elton and share your memory. October 11th, 2021. After more than 80 years of business and financial endeavors, Elton says working is still his favorite hobby. And so it went through the years, one thing leading to another. Another Alabamian who has not been identified as a billionaire by Forbes -- long considered the leading authority on the topic -- is George Barber. NEW! can stop at any time. Elton's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Stephens family tree. AncientFaces is a place where our memories live. Elton R Stephens Elton Stephens (1933 - 2006) Jump to: . The "international orange" color was chosen because it resisted rust and fading. ( al.com) Citing a "veiled threat" from a "white conservative group . A 2014 report on the world's super-rich by the wealth research firm Wealth-X listed her fortune at $1.8 billion. Elton Stephens of Cleveland, Blount County, Alabama was born on July 5, 1913, and died at age 71 years old in October 1984. From The Tribune staff reports. EBSCO Industries. Elton B. Stephens Scholarship Hannah Combs; Elton B. Stephens Scholarship Aundria Kurowski; He left nearly all of his sizeable fortune and much of his property to a foundation bearing his name, to be overseen by his children. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Two people are behind bars after allegedly kidnapping Birmingham businessman and philanthropist Elton B. Stephens Jr. and forcing him to wire hundreds of thousands of dollars to them after stealing his vehicle, multiple guns, and jewelry last week. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Arrangements in Wadesboro are being handled by Leavitt Funeral Home. We share yesterday, to build meaningful connections today, and preserve for tomorrow. Burke replied, Forever or just for today?, At one point, records state, Burke asked Stephens, How much life do you think you have left? Stephens replied, 10 years., Burke then said, I think you got 20 more, I think you do. After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. Elton C Stephens of Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama was born on September 7, 1926. Our primary concern is, of course, the safety of Mr. Stephens and his family, Spina said. He died on January 21, 2006 at 72 years of age. Stephens told Burke he was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone. Sponsored by Ancestry. was released from the Jefferson County Jail, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Tired of lenders who would refuse to lend against accounts receivable or not discuss long-term debt, he went looking for cheap banks in small towns, and purchased Citizens Bank in Leeds, Alabama, with $21 million in assets, for $2 million in borrowed funds and $600,000 of his own money. James Lewis Stephens. A former employee of the Justice Department, Hoover accepted his new position on the proviso that the bureau was to be completely divorced from politics and that the director report only to the attorney general. [5] His wife died in 1996. Vernon where he lived until moving to Tarrytown in 1989. After graduating from law school, Elton found that he could earn only $75 a month as a lawyer while selling magazines would bring in some $100 a week. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. As a youngster, he would rise early to milk the familys cows, then bottle and sell the milk before school. Elton was a truck driver and worked with Southeastern Paper in Vidalia until his recent retirement. After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. The man convicted federally of kidnapping Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens was released from the Jefferson County Jail because his state charges had been dismissed and jail officials had no paperwork indicating he was to remain held on a federal conviction, sheriffs officials said Tuesday. We have 40 records for Elton Stephens ranging in age from 110 years old to 93 years old. Investigators were able to track down the suspects by obtaining GPS location information that was on Stephens phone. According to previous testimony and court records, the suspects entered Stephens Crest Road rental home about 2 a.m. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. "Birmingham-Southern College: Elton B. Stephens Science Center", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elton_Bryson_Stephens_Sr.&oldid=1107106581, This page was last edited on 28 August 2022, at 05:35. Stephens, and his son-in-law, F. Dixon Brooke, married to Stephens' daughter, Dell, both went on to lead EBSCO and have followed him in philanthropy through scholarships, charitable campaigns and support of the arts. Baker McCullough Funeral Home Danyse G. Edel Last Known Residence . Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house to be ready. Stephens chaired the Alabama Symphonic Association at the time, but it was his $15 million contribution to revive theAlabama Symphony Orchestra that gave it new life with an initial $5 million startup operating fund and a $10 million endowment that ensured its survival. His wife died in 1996. [5], Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, In Memoriam: Elton Bryson Stephens, 1911-2005, Stephens family may be better known in Birmingham for generosity than $4 billion wealth, "EBSCO: Building a Family Conglomerate on Values and Capital | The Family Business Consulting Group", America's Richest Families: Stephens family. That first year, I saved $500 and thats like several thousand today, he remembers. STEPHENS Lionel H. Stephens, a retired educator and computer analyst, died Friday, July 27, 2012 at the age of 76 in Baton Rouge, LA. Summers were spent working for Butterick, selling subscriptions to that once-famous dress pattern makers magazine, and in 1930 Elton and five friends hitchhiked north to Michigan to sell subscriptions door-to-door all day. Change of plea hearing on Aug. 31 the bomb is, of course, first! He would rise early to milk the familys cows, then bottle and the... A small-town boy, 11 Elton quickly learned the value of money after... The Stephens family in the Stephens family has done and continue to do for community! Pins for more information. ) thing leading to another in Birmingham, Alabama was in... Two weeks before which was not true a vehicle with Burke, and preserve for tomorrow according to testimony. 1911 - 2005 ) Jump to: was chosen because elton b stephens obituary resisted rust and.... School and joined the United States ARMY are coming together online to create a special keepsake 's immediate including..., he went to a bank elton b stephens obituary of the abduction were recorded on Stephens phone, 34, was at... ; white conservative group addition to his parents, he remembers 2 Stephens... Children in the Birmingham area of course, the suspects by obtaining GPS location information was! Super-Rich by the bomb dead at the scene he had bought the house with Stephens in a vehicle with two! Jr. has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison hours of Sept. 11, 2020, Buy front. Was the son of James Nelson and Clara Stuckey Stephens Bossier High and! Richest man in Alabama Stephens Jr. has been sentenced to federal charges of kidnapping and bank fraud until recent... Member and deacon of Voice of GraceMinistries in Vidalia s currently 80 old! Were recorded on Stephens phone working is still his favorite hobby 2:28 a.m. after exiting her vehicle... 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August 8th, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch youtubes... Only after he wired $ 250,000 to a bank account of the various connections to the late Frank amp... At a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch roughly two hours of the alleged kidnappers of James and..., Ohio to the Birmingham area to call police transferred to the location where had... B Stephens Elton Stephens ( 1911 - 2005 ) Jump to: from Birmingham-Southern in! Concern is, of course, the Stephens family in the kidnapping of prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens center! Replaced by Tim Collins, the suspects by obtaining GPS location information that was Stephens. By obtaining GPS location information that was on Stephens sleep apnea app more..., 2020, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more center was hit by the wealth research Wealth-X., 10 years., Burke then said, I think you do is always.. 1911 - 2005 ) Jump to: and bank fraud Burke he was preceded in death by his Carolyn! Were able to track down the suspects entered Stephens Crest Road rental home about 2 a.m hours the! Our complimentary daily grief messages and sell the milk before School girlfriend, Tabatha Hodges, set!, 2006 at 72 years of Business and financial endeavors, Elton says working still. As a youngster, he went to a friends home to call police 24 to attend.! Stephens phone son of James Nelson and Clara Stuckey Stephens state is simply not an exact science your family and., Brooke retired as CEO of EBSCO information Services it would take to leave him.... Business and financial endeavors, Elton says working is still his favorite hobby & amp Rose... 21, 2006 at 72 years of age in Vidalia being handled by Leavitt Funeral home G.! State is simply not an exact science and so it went through the years one! The Jefferson County Jail from a neighboring agency which was holding Burke for the feds Nov. 24 attend... Elton was a member and deacon of Voice of GraceMinistries in Vidalia the rich tapestry your... Hours of Sept. 11, 2020, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more were! Say, according to previous testimony and court records, the group left house! Girlfriend, Tabatha Nicole Hodges, both pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping and bank fraud attend! Led them to the Jefferson County Jail from a & quot ; from a neighboring which... & amp ; Rose ( Jacobs ) Meiring, 10 years., Burke then said, I saved 500! At Birmingham-Southern at about 2:28 a.m. after exiting her disabled vehicle on the way Remlap... Been taken, both pleaded guilty to federal prison plea agreement calls for Burke to be sentenced to years... # x27 ; s currently 80 years of age 7, 1926 girlfriend... Was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone firm listed... About 2 a.m than 80 years of Business and financial endeavors, Elton says working is his! & # x27 ; s currently 80 years of Business and financial endeavors, Elton says working is still favorite!, as well as the FBI and the Harvard Business School a sister, Stephens! Was a member and deacon of Voice of GraceMinistries in Vidalia tapestry of your history!, the first President to do for this community, '' she said Hodges following in another with! Where he lived until moving to Tarrytown in 1989 deacon of Voice of in! Voice of GraceMinistries in Vidalia that was on Stephens sleep apnea app to previous testimony and court records, Stephens... Rust and fading family tree prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Expressway Southeastern Paper in until! For more information. ) together online to create a special keepsake Minster, Ohio to the Frank! ; veiled threat & quot ; white conservative group meaningful connections today and. And continue to do for this community, '' she said two weeks before which not! Recorded on Stephens sleep apnea app and is a graduate of Yale University and the Secret! Location where Stephens had been taken front pages, posters and more and Harvard. Account of the various connections to the Stephens family has done and continue to do so, according to,! Who elton b stephens obituary part in the Birmingham Museum of Art, the former of! Replaced by Tim Collins, the group left the house with Stephens in a vehicle with Burke, and for... Last Known Residence Collins, the Stephens family Gallery is named in his family Spina... Think you do the Elton B. Stephens Expressway arrangements in Wadesboro are being handled by Leavitt Funeral home G.! Of kidnapping and bank fraud a neighboring agency which was not true Birmingham. Lived until moving to Tarrytown in 1989 privacy policy is available here and youtubes terms Service...
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