Jerry Joe "Jay" Stephenson Jr., 61, of Anthony, Kansas, passed away on January 6, 2026, and went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jay was born on May 1, 1964, in Smithfield, North Carolina, to Jerry Joe Stephenson and Katherine (Lee) Boyette. He grew up on a tobacco farm, where he worked alongside his father harvesting yearly crops-an experience that shaped his love for the outdoors. Jay attended Smithfield-Selma High School, before continuing his education at North Carolina State University.
On July 7, 2007, Jay was united in marriage to Shannon (Shellito) Conaway.
Jay had a deep love for golf and a passion for hunting, which ultimately led to meeting Shannon during an annual hunting trip to Kansas. Golfing, fishing, and hunting were among his favorite pastimes, but above all else, Jay cherished being a grandfather. It was evident he was destined to be called "Papa" and happily bossed around by little girls. When his first grandson, Archie, was born in 2023, Jay was over the moon-finally adding another tally mark to the "boy side."
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Joe (Gloria) Stephenson and Katherine (Grady) Boyette, and by his son, Dylan Stephenson.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shannon Stephenson, of the home; daughters Natasha Towery of Smith Center, KS; Lindsey (Dustin) Stansbury of Harper, KS; and Madison (Justin) Struble of Anthony, KS; grandchildren Cabela, Kimber, and Sterling Stansbury, and Priscilla, Archie, and Baby Struble; sister Tiffiney Boyette of Selma, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026, at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, Kansas, with Taylor Rippe officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, January 15th, 9:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral chapel. Burial will take place in the Custer Cemetery, rural Smith County, KS. Memorials in memory of Jay may be made payable to Jerry Joe Stephenson Jr. Memorial Fund and sent to P.O. Box 266, Anthony, Kansas 67003.